The JL-3 (Chinese: 巨浪-3; pinyin: Jù Làng Sān; lit. 'Giant Wave 3'; NATO reporting name: CSS-NX-20[2]) is a Chinese third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It arms the Type 094 submarine,[3] and is expected to arm the future Type 096.[2]
| Julang-3 (JL-3) | |
|---|---|
| Type | SLBM |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022 |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | MIRV |
| Propellant | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | >5,400 nmi (10,000 km)[1] |
Guidance system | Astro-inertial with Beidou |
Launch platform | Type 094 submarine |
History
editThe first test flight occurred on 24 November 2018 in the Bohai Sea; it was likely a test of the launch tube's cold-launch ejection system.[4] According to anonymous Chinese sources, the Type 032 submarine made the first three test launches, with a Type 094 making the fourth in December 2019.[5]
In 2020, anonymous Chinese sources reported that development of the JL-3 and Type 096 had been decoupled to speed up missile development, and that it would take at least five years to integrate the missile with the submarine.[5]
In November 2022, the United States Navy reported that the Type 094 was rearmed with the JL-3.[3]
Description
editThe JL-3 is reported as a solid-fueled missile with ranges of over 9,000 km (5,600 mi)[4] or 10,000 km (6,200 mi).[1]
The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports the likely payload to be three MIRV nuclear warheads.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b United States Department of Defense (19 October 2023). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023 (PDF) (Report). p. 55. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ a b United States Department of Defense (29 November 2022). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2022 (PDF) (Report). p. 96. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ a b Capaccio, Anthony (18 November 2022). "China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ a b Shaikh, Shaan (21 December 2018). "China Flight Tests New JL-3 SLBM". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- ^ a b Chan, Minnie (January 4, 2020). "China nuclear missile development steps up a gear with test of weapon capable of hitting US mainland". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020.
- ^ "How is China Modernizing its Nuclear Forces?". Center for Strategic and International Studies. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2023.