JL-3 explained
| Julang-3 (JL-3) |
| Origin: | People's Republic of China |
| Type: | SLBM |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 2022 |
| Used By: | People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Filling: | MIRV |
| Propellant: | Solid-fuel rocket |
| Vehicle Range: | >5400nmi[1] |
| Guidance: | Astro-inertial with Beidou |
| Launch Platform: | Type 094 submarine |
The JL-3 (; NATO reporting name: CSS-NX-20) is a Chinese third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It arms the Type 094 submarine,[2] and is expected to arm the future Type 096.[3]
History
The 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. 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.[4]
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.[4]
In November 2022, the United States Navy reported that the Type 094 was rearmed with the JL-3.[5]
Description
The JL-3 is reported as a solid-fueled missile with ranges of over 9000km (6,000miles)[6] or 10000km (10,000miles).[1]
The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports the likely payload to be three MIRV nuclear warheads.[7]
Notes and References
- United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . 19 October 2023 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023 . 55 . 10 July 2024.
- Web site: Capaccio . Anthony . China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says . Bloomberg . 18 November 2022 . 19 November 2022.
- United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . 29 November 2022 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2022 . 96 . 7 May 2023.
- News: China nuclear missile development steps up a gear with test of weapon capable of hitting US mainland . . January 4, 2020 . https://archive.today/20200109014323/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3044674/china-nuclear-missile-development-steps-gear-test-weapon . January 9, 2020 . Minnie . Chan.
- Web site: Capaccio . Anthony . China Has Put Longer-Range ICBMs on Its Nuclear Subs, US Says . Bloomberg . 18 November 2022 . 19 November 2022.
- Web site: Shaikh . Shaan . China Flight Tests New JL-3 SLBM . Missile Threat . Center for Strategic and International Studies . 21 December 2018 . 29 December 2018.
- How is China Modernizing its Nuclear Forces? . Center for Strategic and International Studies . 10 December 2019 . 7 May 2023.
