JL-3
The JL-3 (Chinese: 巨浪-3; pinyin: Jù Làng Sān; lit. 'Giant Wave 3') is a Chinese third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in development. It will likely deploy on the Type 096, a predicted future class of Chinese ballistic missile submarine.[2]
| Julang-3 (JL-3) | |
|---|---|
| Type | SLBM |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | nuclear warhead |
| Propellant | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 12,000 km (7,500 mi) [1] |
Guidance system | Astro-inertial with Beidou |
Launch platform | Type 096 submarine |
The missile is solid-fueled and has a reported range of over 9,000 km (5,600 mi).[3] Chinese and US sources reports ranges up to 7,500 mi (12,100 km).[1]
The JL-3 is expected to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles—warheads capable of targeting numerous separate locations.[1] The first test flight occurred on 24 November 2018 in the Bohai Sea; it was likely a test of the launch tube's cold-launch ejection system.[3] Testing continued through June 2019.[1]
An analyst cited by The South China Morning Post stated that it would take until approximately 2025 for China to fully integrate the JL-3 into the Type 096 submarine.[4]
The development of the missile has reportedly been separated from work on the Type 096 submarine in order to accelerate its development.[4]
References
- Gertz, Bill (2019-06-13). "China Tests New Sub-Launched JL-3 Strategic Missile". Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
- United States Department of Defense (May 2018). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2018 (PDF) (Report). p. 29. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- Shaikh, Shaan (21 December 2018). "China Flight Tests New JL-3 SLBM". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- Chan, Minnie (January 4, 2020). "China nuclear missile development steps up a gear with test of weapon capable of hitting US mainland". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020.