China extends the service life of liquid ICBMs on 21 year
The Keji Zhibao newspaper published an article about a distinguished officer of one of the missile bases, from which it follows that in 2012 a corresponding connection made a test launch to extend the life of a rocket of one of the old types - as a result, this rocket could last for a year 21 more than originally assigned term.
Based on the details mentioned in the article, it can be assumed that we are talking about one of the two types of liquid-type missiles that remain in service with the Second Artillery - DF-4 or DF-5.
DF-5 is still the most powerful Chinese ICBM with a range of 13 000 km and a significant drop weight. DF-4 in its early versions had a range of more than 4 500 km, later it was increased and, according to various estimates, currently ranges from 5 400 to more 7 000 km. Both rockets made the first flights and began to be used in the Chinese space program in the 1970-s, their deployment began in the 1980-s, production (at least, DF-5) continued in the beginning of the 1990-s.
The photograph shown in the material shows the officer on the background of the DF-4 rocket, but it is impossible to say with certainty what period of his service this photograph belongs to. In any case, China continues to carry out R & D on the further extension of the service life of its fleet of old liquid rockets, despite the fact that their combat value under current conditions is doubtful (each of the missiles requires prelaunch preparation lasting about an hour or more). infrastructure for them should be very large.
The article says that the honored officer, deputy head of the technical department of a certain Second Artillery base Zhao Zhangju for 36 years of his service in the rocket forces took part in 36 successful launch of various types of missiles, both combat and space.
The article mentions a kind of test launch of a ballistic missile of the old type, the service life of which is supposed to be extended by 21 year compared to the original. Zhao Zhangju personally prepared this rocket for launch and supervised repair and commissioning. As a result, maximum accuracy was achieved for all history missile launches of this type.
It follows from the article that the launch took place in September of 2012. A few months before, in May, Zhao Zhangju received an order of his own dismissal from the PLA due to the age limit. However, after it became known that the compound would take part in the launch of the rocket, the decision of the party committee Zhao Zhangtsyu was asked to stay in the service, because this was the only way to guarantee the success of the event.
In 2003, one of the brigades of the corresponding missile base was to transmit and receive several dozen weapons, while the brigade commander was in training at that time. Zhao Zhangju took on this task. The solution to this problem, which involved the transportation of heavy rockets across difficult terrain, turned into an enterprise that lasted about six months, during which time the car on which Zhao Zhangju was traveling scored 45 000 km of run.
In 2004, he replaced the commander in another brigade of the corresponding base, and in this brigade both the commander and the political commissar were sent to study at the same time. In total, the hero of the article four times temporarily performed the duties of the commanders of the brigades of his base, and also held the posts of deputy head of logistics and deputy head of the technical support service for the base. Among his pupils, two became commanders of the divisional level, five became commanders of brigades, 12 people occupied posts at the level of regimental commanders.
Zhao himself was in line with the rank of deputy division commander and remained at this level for about 12 years, while many of his yesterday's subordinates grew. Zhao made no effort to further his own career growth, stating that "the organization must decide everything, and the person must follow this decision." Later, despite reaching the age limit, the leadership and party organization appealed to him to continue the service, and he agreed, noting that it was a great honor for him, which he would try to justify.
Based on the details mentioned in the article, it can be assumed that we are talking about one of the two types of liquid-type missiles that remain in service with the Second Artillery - DF-4 or DF-5.
DF-5 is still the most powerful Chinese ICBM with a range of 13 000 km and a significant drop weight. DF-4 in its early versions had a range of more than 4 500 km, later it was increased and, according to various estimates, currently ranges from 5 400 to more 7 000 km. Both rockets made the first flights and began to be used in the Chinese space program in the 1970-s, their deployment began in the 1980-s, production (at least, DF-5) continued in the beginning of the 1990-s.
Chinese ICBM DF-4
The photograph shown in the material shows the officer on the background of the DF-4 rocket, but it is impossible to say with certainty what period of his service this photograph belongs to. In any case, China continues to carry out R & D on the further extension of the service life of its fleet of old liquid rockets, despite the fact that their combat value under current conditions is doubtful (each of the missiles requires prelaunch preparation lasting about an hour or more). infrastructure for them should be very large.
The article says that the honored officer, deputy head of the technical department of a certain Second Artillery base Zhao Zhangju for 36 years of his service in the rocket forces took part in 36 successful launch of various types of missiles, both combat and space.
The article mentions a kind of test launch of a ballistic missile of the old type, the service life of which is supposed to be extended by 21 year compared to the original. Zhao Zhangju personally prepared this rocket for launch and supervised repair and commissioning. As a result, maximum accuracy was achieved for all history missile launches of this type.
It follows from the article that the launch took place in September of 2012. A few months before, in May, Zhao Zhangju received an order of his own dismissal from the PLA due to the age limit. However, after it became known that the compound would take part in the launch of the rocket, the decision of the party committee Zhao Zhangtsyu was asked to stay in the service, because this was the only way to guarantee the success of the event.
In 2003, one of the brigades of the corresponding missile base was to transmit and receive several dozen weapons, while the brigade commander was in training at that time. Zhao Zhangju took on this task. The solution to this problem, which involved the transportation of heavy rockets across difficult terrain, turned into an enterprise that lasted about six months, during which time the car on which Zhao Zhangju was traveling scored 45 000 km of run.
In 2004, he replaced the commander in another brigade of the corresponding base, and in this brigade both the commander and the political commissar were sent to study at the same time. In total, the hero of the article four times temporarily performed the duties of the commanders of the brigades of his base, and also held the posts of deputy head of logistics and deputy head of the technical support service for the base. Among his pupils, two became commanders of the divisional level, five became commanders of brigades, 12 people occupied posts at the level of regimental commanders.
Zhao himself was in line with the rank of deputy division commander and remained at this level for about 12 years, while many of his yesterday's subordinates grew. Zhao made no effort to further his own career growth, stating that "the organization must decide everything, and the person must follow this decision." Later, despite reaching the age limit, the leadership and party organization appealed to him to continue the service, and he agreed, noting that it was a great honor for him, which he would try to justify.
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