China has revealed footage of its supersonic nuclear missile Dongfeng-26 that could reach US territory and accurately attack a moving aircraft carrier, state media reported.
Video of the DF-26 missile launch was released for the first time by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday, showing The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force participating in an exercise in north-west China.
Earlier this month, Chinese media reported that the military had mobilised the missiles in the country’s remote northwest plateau and desert areas, presumably in response to a mission from the US guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell, which sailed close to the contested Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
Video of the DF-26 missile launch was released for the first time by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday, showing The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force participating in an exercise
The nose of the DF-26 missile has a double-cone structure with four fin-like flight control surfaces symmetrically built around the base of the warhead, the detailed footage shows
The nose of the DF-26 missile has a double-cone structure with four fin-like flight control surfaces symmetrically built around the base of the warhead, the report shows.
Military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the fin-like flight control surfaces would provide better stability for the missile as it neared a slow-moving target, such as an aircraft carrier.
On the other hand, the double-cone structure provides the missile with increased targeting capability, speed and stealth, making it more difficult to intercept, Song added.
Military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the fin-like flight control surfaces would provide better stability for the missile as it neared a slow-moving target, such as an aircraft carrier
DF-26 is reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. territory and sink aircraft carriers. The missiles are seen participating in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 2015
‘An information network connected to the warhead, which possibly includes satellites, ground and naval radar in addition to radar on the missile itself, will constantly update the location of a moving target, informing flight control where to guide the missile,’ a Beijing-based military expert said.
The DF-26, one of the most sophisticated and advanced Chinese intermediate-range ballistic missile deployed by the People’s Liberation Army, is also dubbed the ‘Guam killer’ for its range – 3,000km to 5,741km (1,864 to 3,567 miles) – putting the US island in the western Pacific within striking distance.
The DF-26 was unveiled for the first time to the public during the military parade of September 3, 2015 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Last April, China’s defence ministry confirmed the missiles had been put into service with the PLA Rocket Force.
Beijing’s official media previously reported that the powerful missile could reach Guam, a U.S. territory about 2,000 miles away from the Chinese coast, and was China’s top weapon
Footage released by China Central Television Station shows soldiers at the Rocket Force of People’s Liberation Army getting ready to drive a truck which is believed to carry DF-26s
The far-reaching ballistic missile is capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads and can also adjust its position mid-flight according to the target, the report added.
CCTV previously hailed the nuclear missile as China’s top weapon against the United States.
The far-reaching, anti-ship ballistic missiles have been mobilised to north-west China’s plateau and desert areas, according to CCTV in a report on January 8.
The mobilisation follows a mission from a US ship that ‘trespassed’ the Chinese territory in South China Sea on January 7. China issued ‘stern’ warning to the United States over the matter.
The USS McCampbell, a guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on January 7, prompting an angry reaction from Beijing
Paracel Islands, known in China as the Xisha Archipelago, are controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. China also claims Taiwan as a part of its territory
USS McCampbell, an American guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, known in China as the Xisha Archipelago.
A group of more than 30 islands in the disputed waters, the Paracel Islands are controlled by China, but are also claimed by Vietnam and self-ruled Taiwan.
Military tension between the two countries has also escalated after the US sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait last Thursday.
US guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S Diehl conducted ‘a routine’ Taiwan Strait transit ‘in accordance with international law’, US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Commander Tim Gorman previously told CNN.