JL-1


NATO: CSS-N-3


Overview

JL-1

JL-1 submarine launched ballistic missile during maintenance.
Source: www.sinodefense.com - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
China
Type
Submarine launched ballistic missile
Entered service
1986
Status
Obsolete
Development
1967 - mid 1980's
1984 (formal acceptance)
Developer
China
Production
Early 1980's - 1990's
Producer
China - Factory 307
Number produced
About two dozen
Designations
CSS-N-3 (NATO reporting name)
JL-1 / JuLang-1
Chinese for "huge wave 1"
Notable users
China - Navy

Description

Introduction

The JL-1 is a late Cold War era submarine launched ballistic missile of Chinese origin. This medium range unitary warhead ballistic missile became operational in the mid 1980's on the Type 092 class ballistic missile submarine. Development took several decades. The land based DF-21 ballistic missile is based on the design of the JL-1. Currently the JL-1 is out of service, being replaced by the more capable JL-2.

Design

The JL-1 is a two stage ballistic missile. It has a large solid fuel booster section and solid fuel warhead section. It has a unitary nuclear warhead. JL-1 missiles have been overhauled to JL-1A standard in the 1990's. Improvements are believed to include GPS guidance and increased range. This was achieved by either a reduced weight or improved rocket fuel.

Firepower

The JL-1 is fitted with a single nuclear warhead with a yield of 250 - 500 kT. Effective range is 1.770 km for the JL-1 and up to 2.500 km for the JL-1A. CEP for the original model is estimated to be 500 to 700 m. The JL-1A is stated to have an improved CEP of about 100 m.

Launch platforms

The JL-1 missile was test fired on land and from a Golf class submarine modified in China. The indigenous Type 092 class ballistic missile submarine (NATO: Xia) was fitted with 12 launch tubes for the JL-1. One or two Type 092 class submarines were produced. In the 1990's a Type 092 submarine was overhauled and refitted for the improved JL-1A. It is believed that the JL-1 series was decommissioned in the 2010's. The more capable JL-2 succeeded the JL-1 in Chinese service.

Details

Facts JL-1
General
Origin
China
Type
Submarine launched ballistic missile
Dimensions
Weight
14.7 t
Length
10.7 m
Diameter
1.4 m
Warhead
Layout
Unitary warhead
Type
Nuclear warhead
Yield
250 - 500 kT
Guidance
First phase
Inertial navigation
Warhead section
GPS reported for JL-1A
Accuracy
Over 500 m CEP for JL-1
100 m CEP for JL-1A
Engine
Missile layout
Two stage missile
Booster section
Solid fuel rocket engine
Warhead section
Solid fuel rocket engine
Maximum range
1.770 km for JL-1
2.500 km for JL-1A

Media