Type SLBM Length 13 metres (43 ft) | In service Active as of 2015 | |
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Place of origin People's Republic of China Used by People's Liberation Army Navy Weight 42,000 kilograms (93,000 lb) | ||
The JL-2 (Chinese: 巨浪-2; pinyin: Jù Làng-2; literally: "Giant Wave 2", NATO reporting name CSS-NX-14) is a Chinese second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) slated for deployment aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy's Type 094 submarine. It succeeds the JL-1 SLBM deployed on the Type 092 submarine.
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Development
The JL-2 is a naval variant of the land-based DF-31. Their common 2-metre diameter solid fuel rocket motor was successfully tested in late-1983, and research and development efforts were reorganized starting in 1985 to produce both missiles.
The first JL-2 at-sea launch occurred in 2001 from a Type 031 submarine. The program was delayed after a failed test in 2004. Successful launches occurred in 2005 and 2008. The missile was successfully fired from a Type 094 submarine, the intended operational platform, for the first time in 2009. A series of test launches occurred in 2012. Another test launch occurred in January 2015.
During the development of the missile, it was reported that China was considering modifying the missile to accommodate an anti-satellite warhead to give it a sea-based anti-satellite capability.
According to latest source, 094 SSBN armed with JL-2 missiles began deterrent patrol in 2015. The United States Department of Defense believes the missile will give the PLA Navy "its first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent."
Description
The JL-2 is a three-stage, solid-fuelled missile. Range estimates have included 7,400 km (4,600 mi) to 8,000 km (5,000 mi). Payload is a single 250–1000 kt warhead; or 3 to 4 (MIRV) 90 kt warheads,