| Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-4 |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Length: |
28.00 m |
| Diameter: |
2.25 m |
| Launch Weight: |
82000 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 2200 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 1-3 MT |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid |
| Range: |
4750 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1980 |
Details
The CSS-3 is an intermediate-range, surface-based, liquid propellant ballistic missile. Like the earlier designs in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the CSS-3 was designed to fill the gap between the PRC’s intermediate- and long-range missile systems. It was designed as a counter-value weapon specifically to increase the PRC’s ability to threaten Russia and the United States. The project originally required a range of 4,000 km (2,485 miles) to reach the US bases on Guam, though this was later changed to 4,500 km (2,796 miles) in order to reach Moscow.
The CSS-3 was the first PRC missile that posed a real threat to the Soviet Union. The dramatic increase in range over the CSS-2 allows it to directly threaten Moscow and a number of other key Russian cities. Though its accuracy is insufficient for use against hardened missile sites, the size of its warhead makes it ideal for the destruction of civilian population centers and large military complexes. After the falling out between the Soviet Union and the PRC, the PRC required a missile that could prevent unwanted Russian interference in the region. The CSS-3’s ability to strike US bases as far as Guam undermined US authority in the region, as the US forces and allies in Asia could be destroyed following an outbreak of hostilities. It also greatly increased the PRC’s status and reinforced its position as the dominant power in Asia. However, the CSS-3 is extremely vulnerable to a pre-emptive strike, as it can only be launched from large, unprotected fixed bases and has a launch time of one to two hours.
The CSS-3 has a range of up to 4,750 km (2,952 miles) and carries a 2,200 kg payload. Its payload is designed to accommodate a single nuclear warhead with a yield between 1 and 3 MT. It has a low accuracy of 1,500 m CEP, restricting it to a counter-value function. It has a length of 28.0 m, a body diameter of 2.25 m and a launch weight of 82,000 kg. It uses a two-stage liquid propellant engine.
The CSS-3 began development in the early 1960s and its design essentially took place in parallel with the CSS-2. The first test launch occurred in 1970, but eventually was re-tested in the late 1970s following the change in the required range from 4,000 to 4,500 km (2,485 to 2,796 miles). Early trials involved trying to perfect silo and road-based systems, but these did not succeed and the CSS-3 missiles were stored in caves prior to launch. The missile entered service in 1980 with the first two missiles being deployed. It is believed that around 20 to 35 missiles were produced with no known exports. They are believed to have been upgraded between 1985 and 1995. It was expected to be replaced by the CSS-9 between 2001 and 2005, but this has not been confirmed, and it is presumed that the CSS-3 remains in service. The CSS-3 system was the platform for the first PRC space launch system, the Long March-1 rocket.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 9-10.
Pentagon Releases Report on Chinese Military Power
July 20, 2005 :: Department of Defense :: News
The Pentagon has released its annual report to Congress on Chinese military power, which describes China at “a strategic crossroads.” The 45-page report covers a host of topics, including Chinese military strategy and doctrine, the effects of military modernization, and an assessment of the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. “Questions remain about the basic choices China’s leaders will make as China’s power and influence grow, particularly its military power.” Of particular note is attention to such themes as China’s defense spending, strategic missile forces, the increasing number of short range missiles deployed near Taiwan, space policy, and the threat posed by a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse. (More »»»)
» NY Times: China’s Military Geared to Deterring Taiwan, Report Says
» Text of 2004 DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Space-Based Systems
» Missile details: CSS-2, CSS-2A, CSS-3, CSS-4, CSS-4A, CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
