PLA's new DF-5B liquid-fuel ICBM 'can hit any target on Earth'

Alien

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PLA's new DF-5B liquid-fuel ICBM 'can hit any target on Earth'

A missile from the DF ICBM series is test fired on July 27, 2015. (Internet photo)

China is believed to be developing a new DF-5B liquid-fuel missile that will be able to strike any target on the planet, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.

The People's Liberation Army's current or in-development arsenal of long-range strategic intercontinental missiles (ICBMs) are led by the DF-31A, the DF-41 and the JL-2, all of which feature solid-fuel rockets.

The DF-31A, with a range of 10,000 kilometers, can reach the west coast of the United States. The DF-41 has a longer operational range of 12,000-15,000 kilometers and can carry three or more warheads, though the missile is still in the testing phase. The JL-2, which has an estimated operation of up to 8,000 km, can only be fired from a submarine at sea.

US and Japanese media report that China may have recently tested two ICMBs, the DF-41 and and the DF-5A. Military commentator Gao Feng believes that the firing of the DF-41 was part of regular testing, though the DF-5A test was likely part of basic research to develop a new liquid-fuel missile based on the DF-5 or the DF-5A.

According to Gao, though the DF-31A and the DF-41 are either in service already or nearing that stage, China should still have an interest in liquid-fuel missiles because of their significantly longer distances and higher load capacities. These advantages may be why Russia has recently announced that it is developing a new liquid-fuel missile based on its SS-18 ICBM.

Gao's suggestion is also consistent with previous analysis of test images from Chinese media that China could be developing a brand new DF-5B liquid-propellant rocket. Compared to the DF-5A, the DF-5B will have an improved engine and superior precision and warheads. Reports indicate that the range will also be boosted to 13,000 km and 15,000 km, enabling the missile to cover the entire planet, while the load capacity will be upgraded to carry from four to six warheads.


http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20150816000155&cid=1101
 

pmaitra

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While not very portable or quick reactive, a liquid fuelled rocket is highly maneouverable.
 

Alien

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While not very portable or quick reactive, a liquid fuelled rocket is highly maneouverable.
Could you please elaborate on this?

What makes liquid fueled rockets highly maneuverable?
 

pmaitra

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Could you please elaborate on this?

What makes liquid fueled rockets highly maneuverable?
You can use a gimbal and mount the rocket engine on the gimbal. This works like thrust vectoring. In solid rocket motors, this is not possible.
 

Adioz

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You can use a gimbal and mount the rocket engine on the gimbal. This works like thrust vectoring. In solid rocket motors, this is not possible.
However you can use secondary injection to provide liquid fuel and enable thrust vectoring in a solid fuel rocket.
 

pmaitra

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However you can use secondary injection to provide liquid fuel and enable thrust vectoring in a solid fuel rocket.
That is a hybrid rocket then.

Just like our PSLV, which has both liquid and solid rockets, across stages, and as solid strap-ons.
 

Alien

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That is a hybrid rocket then.

Just like our PSLV, which has both liquid and solid rockets, across stages, and as solid strap-ons.
Since you have mentioned PSLV, here's a noob question pertaining to that.

Can't we use PSLV engine and create a ICBM? Perhaps, Agni VI or any other variants of that sort which can boost the target range by many folds?
 

angeldude13

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Since you have mentioned PSLV, here's a noob question pertaining to that.

Can't we use PSLV engine and create a ICBM? Perhaps, Agni VI or any other variants of that sort which can boost the target range by many folds?
Americans once denied India cryogenic engines saying that if India can do rockets then she can also do ICBM's.
I suppose this clears your doubt.
 

Adioz

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Since you have mentioned PSLV, here's a noob question pertaining to that.

Can't we use PSLV engine and create a ICBM? Perhaps, Agni VI or any other variants of that sort which can boost the target range by many folds?
Soviets tried something similar. It was called the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS). The warhead was lobbed into a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and sent to USA over the north pole, opposite to where NORAD's early warning systems were facing. It were phased out due to a treaty with the U.S.A.
Technically it should be possible to launch the warhead on a space rocket, have it orbit, then re-enter when the warhead and re-entry vehicle are close enough. Problems:
1. Not mobile.
2. Warhead weight severly limited. Forget MIRVs. or even a single MARV.
3. Expensive
4. Negative international reactions
5. PSLV places payload in polar orbits.
 

Alien

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Americans once denied India cryogenic engines saying that if India can do rockets then she can also do ICBM's.
I suppose this clears your doubt.
Well, answer is both yes and no.

As per the info. available on public domain, all our current Agni series missiles use solid fuel, even the upcoming Agni VI will have Four Stage Solid Fuelled engine.

I am wondering, what's stopping DRDO to use hybrid engines for our upcoming ballistic missiles?
 

Alien

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Soviets tried something similar. It was called the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS). The warhead was lobbed into a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and sent to USA over the north pole, opposite to where NORAD's early warning systems were facing. It were phased out due to a treaty with the U.S.A.
Technically it should be possible to launch the warhead on a space rocket, have it orbit, then re-enter when the warhead and re-entry vehicle are close enough. Problems:
1. Not mobile.
2. Warhead weight severly limited. Forget MIRVs. or even a single MARV.
3. Expensive
4. Negative international reactions
5. PSLV places payload in polar orbits.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.
 

angeldude13

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Well, answer is both yes and no.

As per the info. available on public domain, all our current Agni series missiles use solid fuel, even the upcoming Agni VI will have Four Stage Solid Fuelled engine.

I am wondering, what's stopping DRDO to use hybrid engines for our upcoming ballistic missiles?
It's because in wartime we will need ready to fire missiles. The thing with liquid fuel is ,it is to filled in missile right before launching missiles.The time taken to fuel the missile give rise to complications in mission and hence solid fueled missiles are preferred.


Although I am not a hacker of Rocket Science but logic says trajectory of a PSLV can be changed to use it as an ICBM.
 

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