PLA’s new DF-5B liquid-fuel ICBM ‘can hit any target on Earth’

[Zarvan]

China is believed to be developing a new DF-5B liquid-fuel missile that will be able to strike any target on the planet, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.

The People’s Liberation Army’s current or in-development arsenal of long-range strategic intercontinental missiles (ICBMs) are led by the DF-31A, the DF-41 and the JL-2, all of which feature solid-fuel rockets.

The DF-31A, with a range of 10,000 kilometers, can reach the west coast of the United States. The DF-41 has a longer operational range of 12,000-15,000 kilometers and can carry three or more warheads, though the missile is still in the testing phase. The JL-2, which has an estimated operation of up to 8,000 km, can only be fired from a submarine at sea.

US and Japanese media report that China may have recently tested two ICMBs, the DF-41 and and the DF-5A. Military commentator Gao Feng believes that the firing of the DF-41 was part of regular testing, though the DF-5A test was likely part of basic research to develop a new liquid-fuel missile based on the DF-5 or the DF-5A.

According to Gao, though the DF-31A and the DF-41 are either in service already or nearing that stage, China should still have an interest in liquid-fuel missiles because of their significantly longer distances and higher load capacities. These advantages may be why Russia has recently announced that it is developing a new liquid-fuel missile based on its SS-18 ICBM.

Gao’s suggestion is also consistent with previous analysis of test images from Chinese media that China could be developing a brand new DF-5B liquid-propellant rocket. Compared to the DF-5A, the DF-5B will have an improved engine and superior precision and warheads. Reports indicate that the range will also be boosted to 13,000 km and 15,000 km, enabling the missile to cover the entire planet, while the load capacity will be upgraded to carry from four to six warheads.

PLA’s new DF-5B liquid-fuel ICBM ‘can hit any target on Earth’ | idrw.org

 

[SecularNationalist]

 

[Deino]

Oh no ! Not WantChinaTimes again !!

The original report - already posted one day earlier - is from WCT.
PLA's new DF-5B liquid-fuel ICBM 'can hit any target on Earth'｜WCT

Deino

 

[nForce]

Ya phir mere bharti dost ki bohat zada jal rahi hai ?

Far from reality..these weapons that you see, they have little chance of any use. A time will come when we will be truly at war with each other. But then there will be no oil!!

 

[Djinn]

Shouldn't China be phasing out liquid fueled missiles and here they are developing more?

 

[Economic superpower]

Forget the DF-5B, China has many other modern ICBM's that can vaporise any despotic regime that thinks of messing with the PLA.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Shouldn't China be phasing out liquid fueled missiles and here they are developing more?

It is already being phasing out, since the DF-41 is gradually taking the role of the DF-5.

 

[XiaoYaoZi Backup]

Forget the DF-5B, China has many other modern ICBM's that can vaporise any despotic regime that thinks of messing with the PLA.

Obviously, Japanese want test its effect.

 

[Indika]

Liquid fuel ? Isnt solid fuel better as liquid fuel takes time to fill up and it requires safer handling.

 

[XiaoYaoZi Backup]

Liquid fuel ? Isnt solid fuel better as liquid fuel takes time to fill up and it requires safer handling.

We have several solid fuel ICBM, so this toxic liquid fuel ICBM is outdated for us.

 

[xunzi]

It is a legacy weapons. We continue to slowly phase out and keep a small number for research purposes.

 

[gambit]

Liquid fuel ? Isnt solid fuel better as liquid fuel takes time to fill up and it requires safer handling.

You are not going to get any credible explanation from the Chinese.

Yes...Solid fuel is preferable for weapons. But why ?

Liquid fuel burns hotter and can be throttled -- meaning controlled like how you can 'rev' up/down your car's engine by stepping on the gas pedal. But the trade-off is that liquid fuel requires much more maintenance, such as temperature controls which is the most intensive.

So why does space exploration vehicles uses liquid fuel but weapons uses solid fuel ? After all, are they not rockets at the core ?

The difference is that weapons have to be on stand-by status for looooooong periods of time while space exploration vehicles are used pretty much immediately. The Space Shuttle uses liquid fuel and its large main tank is filled when there is a flight scheduled. For missiles, there is no war scheduled but since there is always the potential of a war, no matter how remote, the missiles must be readied and solid fuel offers the best solution. This is from air-air missiles to ICBMs. The disadvantages for solid fuel are that it is not as powerful as liquid fuel and cannot be controlled. Once ignited, the fuel must burn to depletion.

 

[Keel]

You are not going to get any credible explanation from the Chinese.

Yes...Solid fuel is preferable for weapons. But why ?

Liquid fuel burns hotter and can be throttled -- meaning controlled like how you can 'rev' up/down your car's engine by stepping on the gas pedal. But the trade-off is that liquid fuel requires much more maintenance, such as temperature controls which is the most intensive.

So why does space exploration vehicles uses liquid fuel but weapons uses solid fuel ? After all, are they not rockets at the core ?

The difference is that weapons have to be on stand-by status for looooooong periods of time while space exploration vehicles are used pretty much immediately. The Space Shuttle uses liquid fuel and its large main tank is filled when there is a flight scheduled. For missiles, there is no war scheduled but since there is always the potential of a war, no matter how remote, the missiles must be readied and solid fuel offers the best solution. This is from air-air missiles to ICBMs. The disadvantages for solid fuel are that it is not as powerful as liquid fuel and cannot be controlled. Once ignited, the fuel must burn to depletion.

tsk tsk tsk
Simple explanations
Wuts so "technical" about it
Dont be addicted to making a mountain out of a molehill - Grumpy man

 

[gambit]

tsk tsk tsk
Simple explanations
Wuts so "technical" about it
Dont be addicted to making a mountain out of a molehill - Grumpy man

Enough to educate people better than you guys can.

 

[Keel]

Enough to educate people better than you guys can.

I think thats how you find your solace in the day murmuring in front of a mirror, looking at a profesional-wanna-be throughout the years