DongFeng 2

The DongFeng 2 (NATO code name: CSS-1)

The DongFeng 2 (NATO code name: CSS-1) is a single-stage, liquid-propellant, road-mobile, medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by the Ministry of Defence 5th Academy (now China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, CALT). The DongFeng 2 is China’s first indigenously developed ballistic missile. The development of the DongFeng 2 began in the late 1950s. The DongFeng 2 development encountered some serious difficulties due to Soviet Union’s withdrawal of its technical assistance in 1960. The first test launch of the DongFeng 2 in March 1962 failed. The redesigned DongFeng 2A was successfully launched on 29 June 1964. On 27 December 1966, a DongFeng 2A missile carrying a 12kT atomic warhead was launched from Jiuquan and the missile hit the target in Lop Nor 800km away. The DongFeng 2A entered operational service with the PLA in the late 1960s, and was completely retired from active duty in the early 1980s.

DongFeng-2 specifications:

Official name: DongFeng 2 (DF-2)

NATO reporting name: CSS-1

Contractor: MND 5th Academy

Service status: Retired

Configuration: Single-stage, liquid propellant

Deployment: Road-mobile on towed trailer

Length: 20.61m

Body diameter: 1.65m

Wingspan: 2.13m

Launch weight: 31,900kg

Range: 1,250km

Re-entry vehicle mass: 1,500kg

Accuracy: CEP 4,000m

Launch preparation time: 120~180 min