Hypersonic missile system DF-17 and its potential
Complexes DF-17 at the parade in 2019. Photo by Nevskii-bastion.ru
Like other leading countries, China is actively engaged in the subject of military hypersonic aircraft. Moreover, a few years ago, he brought his first missile system with such combat equipment to adoption and put on duty. The DF-17 complexes are distinguished by high potential and special capabilities, thanks to which they are able to solve a wide range of tasks, incl. the most difficult.
Development process
According to known data, China began research in the field of hypersound back in the nineties, but the development of real aircraft started later. In the tenth years, a promising program reached the stage of full-fledged flight tests of prototypes with the receipt of design characteristics. At the same time, issues of creating a missile system suitable for use by the troops were worked out.
At the beginning of 2014, reports appeared in foreign sources about the first test flight of a Chinese hypersonic aircraft. Due to the lack of official data, he was given the symbol WU-14. Later, the DF-ZF index appeared, indicating a connection with the Dongfeng family of missiles.
Until the end of 2017, China conducted nine test launches of the WU-14. The flights were carried out on different routes and differed in profile and program. During such tests, flight at design speeds and modes, maneuvering on the route, etc. were practiced. According to foreign data, the flight speed exceeded 5 M, and the range reached 1400 km.
Front calculation. Rockets are open. A frame from a Chinese TV report
At the testing stage, information about the new Chinese project came only from foreign sources. Official Beijing did not comment on such newsnot to mention the disclosure of technical information. Nevertheless, as is now known, the work continued and successfully solved the tasks.
Rocket in service
On October 1, 2019, a military parade dedicated to the Founding Day of the PRC was held in Beijing. As part of this event, various samples of modern missile weapons were demonstrated, incl. several new units. One of them, designated DF-17 ("Dongfeng-17"), carried a missile with a characteristic appearance indicating its capabilities.
It was reported that the DF-17 belongs to the class of hypersonic missile systems, and this is the first Chinese development of its kind. By the time of the first show, the complex had passed all the necessary tests and was put into service. In addition, the industry began the production of serial products, which made it possible to equip, at a minimum, the parade crew.
Apparently, production did not stop there. New launchers and missiles for them could regularly arrive in the Strategic Missile Forces. According to foreign data, to date, up to two brigades have been equipped with DF-17 complexes - approx. 24 launchers.
At the end of 2020, the PLA demonstrated the launch of new missiles for the first time. In a short video for Chinese television, several missile systems were shown leaving the unit, as well as arriving at the position and deploying. Then three combat vehicles performed launches. Unfortunately, they showed only the take-off of rockets. The flight and defeat of the training target remained behind the scenes.
Rockets close up. A frame from a Chinese TV report
Subsequently, China showed other launches, single and group. The last materials of this kind appeared at the very end of July. In addition, it is reported that the DF-17 complexes were involved in large-scale PLA exercises on the east coast near the Taiwan Strait. The latest launches naturally attracted the attention of foreign audiences.
According to known data
The DF-17 is a mobile ground-based ballistic missile system. To obtain high performance, the latter is equipped with a hypersonic gliding warhead. According to various reports, such a warhead is intended to destroy stationary ground targets or moving surface targets.
The Dongfeng-17 complex is built on the basis of a five-axle special chassis with high mobility characteristics. Similar machines are used by other missile systems. The self-propelled launcher carries one missile. In the stowed position, the product is lowered into the body and closed with movable covers. Before launch, the rocket rises to a vertical position. The principle of launch - from a guide or from the launch pad - is unclear.
The complex includes a two-stage rocket. The first stage is a solid propellant upper stage with rudders. The second stage is combat and is made in the form of a gliding hypersonic aircraft. The total length of the rocket is estimated at 11-12 m, the launch weight is up to 15 tons.
The warhead from the DF-17 has a design characteristic of hypersonic gliders. It has a streamlined top surface and a flat bottom. There are also horizontal and vertical planes of small area, probably used for control.
The warhead has a familiar shape. A frame from a Chinese TV report
The exact tactical and technical parameters of such a unit are unknown. It must fly at high speed and carry out certain maneuvers. Navigation and guidance aids must be present on board. It is also assumed the presence of a warhead - conventional or nuclear.
The missile carries a gliding warhead, which determines the flight profile. The takeoff is carried out vertically, after which the rocket enters the specified trajectory and picks up the required speed. At the calculated point of the trajectory at high altitude, the warhead is reset, which begins independent flight due to the resulting acceleration.
Flight speed exceeds Mach 5; the main part of the trajectory passes at an altitude of approx. 50-60 km. In flight, the unit can maneuver in heading and altitude. According to various sources, the flight range reaches 2-2,5 thousand km. This allows us to classify the DF-17 as a medium-range missile system.
Technical potential
"Dongfeng-17" has a number of features and advantages characteristic of hypersonic missile systems. Due to this, he is able to solve various combat missions at the operational-tactical level with high efficiency. At the same time, in all the main parameters, the DF-17 bypasses the "traditional" missile systems.
Launcher during exercise, 2020. Screenshot from Chinese TV report
The DF-17 complex is made on a self-propelled chassis, which provides high cross-country ability and strategic mobility. With its help, the complex can perform patrols and quickly arrive at a position to perform a launch. It should be noted that mobile performance is generally typical for Chinese ballistic missiles of all classes.
The main combat qualities and advantages are provided by the combat stage in the form of a hypersonic aircraft. So, high speed reduces the flight time and accelerates the defeat of the target. The unit's ability to maneuver, in turn, makes it difficult to escort and defeat existing and future defense systems. The enemy has the ability to detect such a warhead in flight, but it is almost impossible to shoot it down.
The exact purpose of the DF-17 / DF-ZF has not yet been disclosed. According to some reports, this complex should provide a quick and reliable defeat of stationary enemy targets. In this case, the warhead requires a guidance system for known coordinates and appropriate flight controls.
However, there are suggestions about the use of a homing head capable of identifying a target and directing a block to it. In this case, the product, in theory, can be used on moving objects. In particular, the fundamental possibility of using the Dongfeng-17 as an anti-ship weapon was discussed. weapons. Such a block can be an effective means of dealing with large enemy ships such as aircraft carriers.
Training launch, July 2022. Still from Chinese TV report
Hypersonic speed makes a significant contribution to the power of the warhead. Only due to its kinetic energy, it is able to inflict the most serious damage on the target, comparable to the impact of a heavy high-explosive warhead. At the same time, the presence of such a warhead or even a nuclear block, which will significantly increase the impact on the target, is not ruled out.
There is reason to believe that the DF-ZF warhead will be used not only as part of the DF-17 complex. So, in mid-2020, photos and videos appeared with an H-6 bomber carrying a missile with a characteristic warhead. Recently, amateur operators again filmed a flight of an aircraft with a similar missile. All this speaks of the development of an air-launched missile system based on the land-based Dongfeng-17.
Rumors also circulated about the possible installation of a hypersonic unit on other launch vehicles. Complexes of this kind could have an increased firing range and similar advantages. However, it is obvious that for a cardinal increase in the range of a gliding flight, a serious reworking of the warhead is required.
Advanced Development
Thus, China launched its own hypersonic program and was one of the first in the world to get real results. At least since the fall of 2019, the DF-17 land mobile missile systems have been on combat duty, regularly carry out training launches and prepare for real combat work. The presence of two missile brigades with such weapons has already been reported, and new ones may appear in the future.
Due to the Dongfeng-17 project, the PLA missile forces received a number of new capabilities and increased their potential. However, it is clear that the development of hypersonic technologies will not stop there. The development of other similar systems, unified with DF-ZF or completely new, is already underway. And the Chinese industry has already confirmed its ability to bring such developments to adoption.
Information