DF-4

Intermediate range ballistic missile. IOC: 1981. Country: China. Status: Retired 2005?. Department of Defence Designation: CSS-3. Popular Name: Dong-Feng 4.

Development of the DF-4 began in 1964 with the objective of fielding a ballistic missile capable of hitting Guam. The technical solution was to add a second stage to the DF-3 IRBM.

The two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x DF3-YF2A + 1 x DF4-YF3. It would form the basis of the CZ-1 satellite launch vehicle.

Manufacturer: CALT. Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 1970-01-30. Last Launch Date: 1970-01-30. Launch data is: incomplete. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 1,224.000 kN (275,166 lbf). Total Mass: 82,000 kg (180,000 lb). Core Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Total Length: 28.05 m (92.02 ft). Span: 2.74 m (8.98 ft). Standard warhead mass: 2,190 kg (4,820 lb). Maximum range: 4,760 km (2,950 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead yield: 3,300 KT. Standard warhead CEP: 1.19 km (0.73 mi). Boost Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket, Nitric acid/UDMH. Guidance: Inertial. Total Number Built: 10.

• Stage1: 1 x CZ-YF-2. Gross Mass: 64,100 kg (141,300 lb). Empty Mass: 4,100 kg (9,000 lb). Motor: 4 x YF-2A. Thrust (vac): 1,224.575 kN (275,295 lbf). Isp: 268 sec. Burn time: 130 sec. Length: 17.84 m (58.53 ft). Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH.

• Stage2: 1 x CZ-1-2. Gross Mass: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Empty Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Motor: 1 x YF-2A. Thrust (vac): 306.143 kN (68,824 lbf). Isp: 275 sec. Burn time: 110 sec. Length: 5.35 m (17.55 ft). Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH.

Early 1962 - Chinese project management Tsien introduced a computer tool for management of Chinese aerospace development projects analogous to the American PERT program.

1964 September 12 - Chinese missiles redesignated and new development plan adopted. Tsien had conducted a series of meetings with the Chinese leadership during the year to redefine China's missile development plans. There are clashes between Tsien, who favours an American engineering approach, and his staff, who were trained in Russian and favour the Soviet approach. Finally the missiles were defined by their target objectives, and a new development plan was adopted, with definite goals. The 1059 missile (copy of Russian R-2) was redesignated DF-1. The DF-2 was to be improved to carry an atomic bomb to a range sufficient to hit Japan. The DF-3 ICBM was cancelled, and the new DF-3 project would involve development of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the Philippines (earlier referred to as the DF-1). The DF-4 was to be capable of hitting Guam, and the DF-5 would be an ICBM capable of reaching the United States. The DF-2, DF-3 and DF-4 would use strap-down accelerometer guidance packages, while the DF-5 was to be equipped with a full-fledged inertial guidance unit.

1966 January 4 - Chinese ICBM plans Tsien proposes to add electronic countermeasures and other penetration aids to the DF-5 ICBM in order to defeat the planned American ABM system.

1970 January 30 - Jiuquan LA2A. Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). First test of prototype DF-3 (perhaps same configuration as CZ-1); not deployed.

1976 June 1 - Jiuquan -. Date uncertain. First test of DF-4.

1980 August 15 - Jingyu -. First DF-4 test from Jingyu. First launch from Jingyu test site.

1980 October 15 - Jingyu -. Second DF-4 test from Jingyu.