The Dongfeng-17 (;

NATO reporting name NATO uses a system of code names, called reporting names, to denote military aircraft and other equipment used by post-Soviet states, former Warsaw Pact countries, China, and other countries. The system assists military communications by providi ...

: CH-SS-22), is a Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile

medium-range ballistic missile A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) is a type of ballistic missile with medium range (aeronautics), range, this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the United States Department of Defense, U.S. D ...

designed to carry the DF-ZF

hypersonic glide vehicle A hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) is a type of warhead for ballistic missiles that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed. It is used in conjunction with ballistic missiles to significantly change their trajectories after launch. Convention ...

Design

The DF-17 uses the rocket booster from the

DF-16 The ''Dongfeng'' () series, typically abbreviated as "DF missiles", are a family of short, medium, intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles operated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (formerly the Second Art ...

B short-range ballistic missile. It is more difficult for

missile defense Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception, and also the destruction of attacking missiles. Conceived as a defense against nuclear weapon, nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic mi ...

s to intercept the manoeuvrable DF-ZF than a ballistic missile, whose trajectories are more predictable. DF-17 strikes to degrade air and missile defenses may precede the use of less survivable weapons. According to Chinese commentators, the DF-ZF is armed with a conventional warhead. US intelligence considers the DF-ZF to be nuclear capable as well.

Development

The DF-ZF flight test on 15 November 2017 was launched using a DF-17. The DF-17 and DF-ZF made their first official public appearance during the National Day military parade on 1 October 2019. A 2020 study by the U.S. Air Force said the missile was believed to be the first HGV-equipped tactical ballistic missile in operational deployment.

Strategic implications

In March 2020, the

United States Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD, or DOD) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government charged with coordinating and superv ...

proposed accelerating the development of conventionally armed hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV) to keep pace with the Chinese development. Michael Griffin, former

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering The under secretary of defense for research and engineering, abbreviated USD (R&E), is a senior official of the United States Department of Defense. The USD (R&E) is charged with the development and oversight of technology strategy for the DoD. ...

, told the

House Armed Services Committee The U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee or HASC, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of ...

that the United States needs to develop hypersonic weapons "to allow us to match what our adversaries are doing."

Further development

In 2020, multiple military observers in China reported an air-launched hypersonic missile version based on DF-17 was undergoing testing.

References

Sources