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DF-2 MEDIUM-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE

The DF-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 DF-2 is China’s first indigenously developed ballistic missile. The development of the DF-2 began in the late 1950s. The DF-2 development encountered some serious difficulties due to Soviet Union’s withdrawal of its technical assistance in 1960. The first test launch of the DF-2 in March 1962 failed. The redesigned DF-2A was successfully launched on 29 June 1964. On 27 December 1966, a DF-2A missile carrying a 12kT atomic warhead was launched from Jiuquan and the missile hit the target in Lop Nor 800km away. The DF-2A entered operational service with the PLA in the late 1960s, and was completely retired from active duty in the early 1980s.

Configuration: Single-stage
Length: 20.61m
Core diameter: 1.65m
Wingspan: 2.13m
Launch Weight: 31,900kg
Propellant: Liquid
Guidance: Inertial
Deployment: Road mobile on trailer
Range: 1,250km
Re-entry Vehicle Weight: 1,500kg
Warhead: Single 15~20 yield kT nuclear
Accuracy: CEP 4,000m
Launch Preparation Time: 2~3 hours

This page was last updated 8 January 06