The DF-3 project began in 1964 with the objective of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the Philippines (earlier referred to as the DF-1).
Version: DF-3A. IOC: 1987. Popular Name: Dong-Feng 3A.
Total Mass: 63,843 kg (140,749 lb). Core Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Total Length: 23.99 m (78.70 ft). Span: 2.74 m (8.98 ft). Standard warhead mass: 2,140 kg (4,710 lb). Maximum range: 2,810 km (1,740 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead yield: 3,300 KT. Standard warhead CEP: 0.87 km (0.54 mi). Boost Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket, Nitric acid+N2O4 (AK-27)/UDMH. Guidance: Inertial. Total Number Built: 70.
DF-3 Chronology
1960 November 14 - DF-3 ICBM development begun. Tsien appoints himself head of the DF-3 project - a quantum leap to build a 10,000 km range liquid oxygen/kerosene propellant intercontinental ballistic missile. The objective proves much too ambitious and is eventually cancelled. It is the last missile project Tsien is allowed to manage.
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 December 26 - Jiuquan LA2A. Test mission Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1969 - Harbin -. Test mission Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
Bibliography:- McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
- Chang, Iris, Thread of the Silkworm, Basic Books, New York, 1995.
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Nuclear Weapons Databook 5: British, French and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, Ballinger Publishing, 1990.
