DF-4

The Dong Feng 4 (Template:Zh) or DF-4 (also known as the CSS-3) is a first-generation two-stage Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with liquid fuel (Nitric acid/Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine). It was thought to be deployed in limited numbers in underground silos beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Dong Feng 4 has a takeoff thrust of 1,224.00 kN, a takeoff weight of 82000 kg, a diameter of 2.25 m, a length of 28.05 m and a fin span of 2.74 m. The range of the Dong Feng 4, which is equipped with a 2,190 kg nuclear warhead with 3.3 Megaton yield, with a nominal range of 5,500 km. This gives it sufficient range to strike targets as far away as Russia, India, and American bases in the Pacific.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The missile uses an inertial guidance system, resulting in a large CEP of 1,500 meters. As of 2017, 10–15 launchers are deployed.<ref name=nasic-20170601>Template:Cite report</ref>

History

File:PLA ballistic missiles range.jpg

Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-4 range in light blue.

The decision to develop the DF-4 was made in 1965<ref>U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2005, 2005, p. 28</ref> in response to the U.S. ballistic missile submarine patrols that began operating out of Guam. The missile's designer has been variously identified as Ren Xinmin or Tu Shou'e [屠守锷], and it was produced at Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co. [首都航天机械公司], also known as Capital Machine Shop [首都机械厂]).

In 1972 US intelligence estimated an IOC for this system as being expected in 1974 or 1975. Deployment actually began in 1975–76, but only four DF-4s were believed to be in place by 1984.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

There were two versions of the missile developed,<ref>U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2000, 2000, p. 17.</ref> one version housed in caves or garages to be rolled out on launch and another silo based version.

The US DoD estimates that the missile will continue to serve as a regional deterrence instrument until they can be replaced by the DF-31.<ref>U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2006, May 22, 2006, p. 50.</ref> This will be a significant capability gain for the Second Artillery Corps. The DF-31A has a range of 11,700 kilometers (as opposed to just 7,000 for the DF-4) and is road- and rail-mobile, and thus more survivable than the silo-based DF-4.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Operators

• Template:CHN: The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is the only operator of the Dong-Feng 4.

External links

• Astronautix
• DongFeng 4 (CSS-3) Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile - SinoDefence.com
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