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DF-17

Chinese Ballistic Missile Equipped with Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

DF-17 (Dong Feng-17) is the medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in the inventory of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) of China. The difference from a classic ballistic missile is that it carries a hypersonic glide vehicle DF-ZF (HGV — Hypersonic Glide Vehicle). This warhead, after exiting the atmosphere, maneuvers at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and glides at low altitude, surpassing traditional anti-ballistic defenses. It was officially unveiled in 2019. A precursor to the era of hypersonic weapons.

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• What is the DF-17?

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What is the DF-17?

DF-17 (Dong Feng-17, “East Wind-17”) is a medium-range ballistic missile in the inventory of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. Its NATO code name is CSS-22. Its manufacturer is CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation).

What distinguishes the DF-17 from classic ballistic missiles is its hypersonic glide vehicle DF-ZF (previously “WU-14”). Its operation is as follows:

1. The missile is launched outside the atmosphere like a classic ballistic missile.
2. At a certain altitude, the DF-ZF warhead separates.
3. The warhead reenters the atmosphere, but instead of descending in a straight line like ballistic missiles, it “glides” in the atmosphere with its fins.
4. While gliding, it changes direction and maneuvers. Its speed is approximately Mach 5-10.

This maneuverability surpasses traditional anti-ballistic defenses. Systems like Patriot, THAAD, Aegis BMD calculate and intercept the predictable trajectory of enemy ballistic missiles. However, HGVs like the DF-ZF follow an unpredictable path by maneuvering at any moment. For this reason, hypersonic weapons are termed “game changers”.

Strategic targets:

• Taiwan, U.S. bases in Japan, Guam — within the reach of the Pacific Command.
• U.S. aircraft carriers — large platforms in open areas.
• They can carry nuclear or conventional warheads.

In 2019, it was officially presented to the public during the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. U.S. defense analysts consider the DF-17 to be “the greatest concern for the U.S. in the Pacific”. Turkey’s ballistic missile programs, such as BORA-4 and TAYFUN Block-4, also aim for hypersonic HGV technology in the long term.