DF-17 What is it? China’s maneuverable hypersonic ballistic missile
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range ballistic missile + hypersonic glide vehicle (MRBM + HGV) |
| Manufacturer | CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) |
| Weight | ≈15,000 kg (estimated) |
| Length | ≈11 m (estimated) |
| Range | ≈1,800-2,500 km (estimated) |
| Speed | Mach 5-10 (HGV phase) |
| Warhead | DF-ZF (HGV) — hypersonic glider, nuclear or conventional |
| Guidance | INS + BeiDou GPS + terminal maneuver |
| Launch | TEL — truck-mounted vertical launch |
| Stealth | No (classic ballistic launch visible) |
| Manoeuvre | Direction change in the atmosphere |
| Official Statement | 70th Anniversary Parade of the People’s Republic of China — 2019-10-01 |
| Service | 2019+ (operational) |
| User | China (PLA Rocket Forces) |
Why is it Revolutionary?
- The trajectory of the classic ballistic missile is predictable
- The DF-ZF manoeuvres in the atmosphere
- Patriot, THAAD, Aegis — surpass classic BMD
- Speed Mach 5-10 — extremely short reaction time
- US aircraft carriers are a threat in open spaces
- Technological goal for Turkey in the long term
- Hypersonic weapons competition — US AGM-183, Russian Avangard, US ARRW
