Dongfeng-17 (DF-17)

Dongfeng-17 Latest News

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has for the first time aired footage showing the launch of a Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) hypersonic missile recently.

About Dongfeng-17

• It is a Chinese  solid-fueled medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile.
• It was officially unveiled in 2019. 
• Its NATO code name is CSS-22.  

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Dongfeng-17 Features

• It measures around 11 m in length, and weighs around 15,000 kg. 
• It is said to have a range of 1800 km to 2500 km.  
• It is mounted on a mobile launcher. 
• It carries a hypersonic glide vehicle DF-ZF (HGV — Hypersonic Glide Vehicle).
• Its operation is as follows:
  • The missile is launched outside the atmosphere like a classic ballistic missile.
  • At a certain altitude, the DF-ZF warhead separates.
  • The warhead reenters the atmosphere, but instead of descending in a straight line like ballistic missiles, it “glides” in the atmosphere with its fins.
  • While gliding, it changes direction and maneuvers. Its speed is approximately Mach 5-10.
  • This flight profile allows the vehicle to remain below radar detection for longer durations than a ballistic missile covering the same distance. 

News: TOI