DF-3A
The DF-3A (NATO: CSS-2) is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, nuclear medium-range ballistic missile that entered service in 1971.[5]
| DF-3A/CSS-2(US) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | IRBM |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1971-2014 (China) |
| Used by | China, Saudi Arabia |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 24 m |
| Warhead | Nuclear, possibly 3 × 50–100 kt (0.21–0.42 PJ) warheads or 1 × 700–3,000 kt (2.9–12.6 PJ) warhead[1] |
| Engine | liquid fueled |
Operational range | 4,000-5,000 km[2][3] |
Guidance system | Astro-inertial guidance |
| Accuracy | 0.6-2.4 miles (1000-4000 m) CEP[4] |
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-3A range in Orange.
In 1988 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) DF-3A missiles to Saudi Arabia.[3][6] Saudi Arabia publicly displayed them for the first time in 2014.[7]
History
Deployment of the missile began in 1971,[1] reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993. It was estimated by the U.S. DoD that there were 17 missiles and 10 launchers in operation as of 2010 under a single brigade.[5] By May 2014, it appeared that the last unit operating the DF-3A completed conversion to the DF-21 missile from satellite photos of changes to the launch unit site.[8]
References
- "DF-3A / CSS-2". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (Report). Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee. 1 June 2017. p. 5. NASIC-1031-0985-17. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- Meick, Ethan (16 June 2014). China's Reported Ballistic Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia: Background and Potential Implications (PDF) (Report). U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- "DF-3A - China Nuclear Forces".
- Chinese nuclear forces, 2010. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- Mark Urban (6 November 2013). "Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan". BBC. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- "Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force - a deterrent move against Iran?". Defense Update. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- Chinese Nuclear Missile Upgrade Near Dalian - Fas.org, 21 May 2014
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