CSS-6
The CSS-6 is a mobile, land-based short -range ballistic missile of the People's Republic of China . In the Chinese armed forces, the rocket is called DF-15 or Dongfeng 15 . The export designation is M-9 .
development
Development of the CSS-6 by the Ministry of Space Industry, a predecessor organization of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), began in 1985. The first test flight took place in 1987. The first missiles were handed over to the People's Liberation Army in the spring of 1989 . The following variants were created:
- DF-15: First production version introduced in 1989. Range of 580 km.
- DF-15A: Second production version introduced in 1990. Range of 600 km.
- DF-15B: Third production version introduced in 1999. With Beidou (satellite navigation) guidance system.
- DF-15C: Improved DF-15B with radar end-phase guidance system .
- M-9: Export variant of the DF-15A.
technology
The DF-15 is a single-stage solid rocket. The later versions DF-15B and DF-15C are two-stage missiles. The missiles are housed on the all -terrain TAS5450 or WS2400 -8 × 8- trucks . The system is mobile and can be installed quickly. A minimum reaction time from the drive to the missile firing of 15 to 20 minutes is achieved. Each vehicle is armed with a DF-15 missile. The DF-15 missiles can be equipped with a selection of different warheads:
- Nuclear warhead
- Fragmentation warhead
- Bomblets (submunitions)
- EMP warhead
distribution
-
People's Republic of China : 90-110 launch vehicles and 350-400 missiles -
Libya : 140 missiles (unconfirmed) -
Iran : 110-130 launch vehicles and 400-500 missiles -
Pakistan : number unknown -
Syria : 80 missiles received via Libya (unconfirmed)
commitment
The CSS-6 was used several times to demonstrate its power by the People's Republic of China. Between July 21-23, 1995, a total of six CSS-6 rockets were fired off the coast of Taiwan . Another show of force, in which four CSS-6s were simultaneously fired off the coast of Taiwan, took place in March 1996.
Technical specifications
| system | Dongfeng 15A / DF-15A | Dongfeng 15B / DF-15B |
|---|---|---|
| NATO code | CSS-6 mod 1 | CSS-6 mod 2 |
| Introductory year | 1990 | 1999 |
| drive | 1 stage with solid fuel | 2 stages with solid fuel |
| length | 9.10 m | 10.00 m |
| diameter | 1,000 mm | 1,000 mm |
| Weight | 6,200 kg | 6,200 kg |
| payload | 950 kg | 950 kg |
| Warhead | Nuclear variable 50 or 350 kT , fragmentation warhead or submunition |
Nuclear variable 20-150 kT , fragmentation warhead or submunition |
| Operational range | 600 km | over 600 km |
| Steering system | Inertial navigation platform | Inertial navigation platform plus Beidou steering system |
| Hit Accuracy ( CEP ) | 300-600 m | 50-150 m |
swell
- JANE'S STRATEGIC WEAPON SYSTEMS Edition 2003 Jane's Verlag