What is DF-17? 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 Industry Corporation) |
| Weight | ≈15,000 kg (estimate) |
| Length | ≈11 m (estimate) |
| Range | ≈1,800-2,500 km (estimate) |
| Speed | Mach 5-10 (HGV phase) |
| Warhead | DF-ZF (HGV) — Hypersonic glide, nuclear or conventional |
| Guidance | INS + BeiDou GPS + terminal maneuvering |
| Launch | TEL — Vertical launch mounted on a truck |
| Stealth | None (visible classic ballistic launch) |
| Manoeuvrability | Change of direction within the atmosphere |
| Official Announcement | 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China — 2019-10-01 |
| Service | 2019+ (operational) |
| User | China (People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force) |
Why is it considered revolutionary?
- The classic ballistic missile trajectory is predictable
- The DF-ZF warhead can maneuver within the atmosphere
- Patriot, THAAD, Aegis — overcomes classic ballistic defenses
- Speed of Mach 5-10 — very short response time
- American aircraft carriers are a threat in open areas
- Technology long-term targets for Turkey
- Hypersonic arms race — American AGM-183, Russian Avangard, American ARRW
