China ICBM/SLBM, nuclear arms thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
![NB]37P2L(9C)K)9$GHAD%Q4.jpg](https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/data/attachments/129/129983-984ae433d4f2bc38cf64e37bbfc9f244.jpg "NB]37P2L(9C)K)9$GHAD%Q4.jpg")
Don't be silly, why would the strategic branch take stock or even read some online cope from American nationalists? It's like thinking when US grounds F-35 fleets it's because they're trying to prove China put explosive parts in them...
Usually the reason for long range tests is to understand more about the weapon's flight trajectory. As the foremost technological, industrial power and now required to build up a military to match that status, it is within normal activity bounds to test more weapons than any other country.
What we know so far:
The launch is from Hainan Island, which was witnessed by many people from Hainan. So it is not a fixed silo launching, but one from a TEL vehicle. It is most likely a DF-31AG or some newer variant, not a DF-41 or a DF-5, both of which are deployed in fixed launch silos.
The launch is from Hainan Island, which was witnessed by many people from Hainan. So it is not a fixed silo launching, but one from a TEL vehicle. It is most likely a DF-31AG or some newer variant, not a DF-41 or a DF-5, both of which are deployed in fixed launch silos.
DF-41 is deployed from a TEL.
That said, if the launch happened at Hainan, it doesn't necessarily have to be a missile that is usually launched from a TEL, because there is no reason to think that this launch utilized a "standard in service launch apparatus". It is possible for example, that they utilized a dedicated launch apparatus, so even if it was a TEL launched missile it's possible they didn't transport a whole entire TEL to Hainan but rather just transported the canister+missile round.
All of which is to say, if the missile launch occurred at Hainan in theory it could be any missile because there's no reason to think they would have utilized a missile's standard launch apparatus.
That said, I do think the idea of test launching a DF-5 from Hainan would be odd as the sheer size and footprint of transporting a DF-5 to Hainan seems extravagant. I personally feel like a solid fuel missile seems more likely -- whether it's an existing in service DF-31A/AG or a DF-41 (with TEL or with only the canister), or a new solid fuel ICBM like the rumoured DF-45, who knows.
For record's purpose, The NOTAM info:
China notified the Philippines and France in advance as the NOTAM was issued by Manila FIR and Tahiti FIR.
China notified the Philippines and France in advance as the NOTAM was issued by Manila FIR and Tahiti FIR.
DF-41 is not silo launched missile. The missile is highly likely to be launched from or near WSLC so it can be anything, even starship.
Umm, no. DF-41 is very much mobile-capable.
Though a silo variant of the DF-41 is certainly possible (if not already exists).
There must be some pretty powerful "water" in those missiles!
I followed the post and all its pictures. I got the feeling of this launch looks more like a boost-glider than a ballistic ICBM because the 3rd stage separated less than 850km from launch point giving the unpowered flight of 11000km, that doesn't look ballistic.
I won't be surprised that PLAF used the word ICBM though since it is still a ICXM considering PLA is more lowkey than other militaries. Boost-glider can also better explain why they have to do a full range flight test because it is the only way to test a glider.
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Depressed trajectory has been confirmed. It's an icbm not boost glide. Depressed trajectory allows to test the full capability of the missile instead of just individual subsystems