The DongFeng 4

The DongFeng 4 (NATO reporting name: CSS-3)

The DongFeng 4 (NATO reporting name: CSS-3) liquid-propellant, two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT, also known as 1st Space Academy) in the 1960s. The missile entered operational service in the early 1980s, with approximately 20 missiles (2008 Pentagon report) currently deployed by the PLA Second Artillery Corps. The DongFeng 4 was also used to develop PRC’s first space launch vehicle Changzheng 1 (Long March 1), which sent the country’s first satellite into the orbit in 1970.

DongFeng-4 specifications:

Official name: DongFeng 4 (DF-4)

NATO reporting name: CSS-3

Contractor: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)

Service status: In service

Configuration: Two-stage, liquid propellant

Deployment: Silo and semi-mobile (towed trailer)

Propellant: Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine/Nitrogen Tetroxide mix (UDMH/N2H4)

Length: 28m

Diameter: 2.25m

Launch weight: 82,000kg

Range: 4,750km

Re-entry vehicle mass: 2,200kg

Warhead: Single, 1,000~3,000kT yield thermalnuclear

Guidance: Inertial

Accuracy: CEP 1,500m

Launch preparation time: 3~5 hours (mobile), or 2~3 hours (silo)