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The Chinese DF-3 missile
Norbert Brügge, Germany
Update: 29.01.2012
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DF-3 |
DF-3+ |
DF-3A |
| Length total |
~19.50
m |
~21.50
m |
~21.50
m |
| Length without warhead |
~15.50
m |
~17.50
m |
~18.00
m |
| Diameter |
2.25
m |
2.25
m |
2.25
m |
| Propellant |
UDMH / AK-27S
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| Mass propellant (t) |
~57.00 |
~60.00 |
~61.00 |
| Engine |
YF-2
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YF-2 |
YF-2A |
| Thrust s.l. (kN) |
1,020.0 |
1,020.0 |
1,101.2 |
| Thrust vac (kN) |
1,132.1 |
1,132.1 |
1,214.4 |
| Isp s.l. (Ns/kg) |
2349 |
2349 |
2378 |
| Isp vac Ns/kg) |
2606 |
2606 |
2622 |
| Burn time, nominal (sec) |
130 |
138 |
131.5 |
| Total vacuum impulse (MNs) |
147.2 |
156.2 |
159.6 |
The DF-3 is a single-stage,
intermediate-range ballistic missile system. The engine YF-2 is a cluster of
four single engines which use storable liquids, Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine
(UDMH) fuel and AK-27S oxidiser (Nitric Acid with 27% Nitrogen Tetroxide), and
provide a total thrust of 104 tonnes. The motors have a burn time of 130 seconds.
On images are to be seen four exhaust tubes. Each engine gets separately propellant.
Four feeders downward are seen from the oxidiser - tank at the outside of the
rocket.
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This is the YF-2A engine
with four turbopumps !
Source:
Novosti Kosmonavtiki (1)
Novosti Kosmonavtiki (2)
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The display does not belong to the engine
YF-2
The data characterize a single engine YF-20: 696 kN; Isp 259 sec
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Meanwhile at first by Novosti Kosmonavtiki
sensational photos of the Chinese engine YF-2 published. It is now confirmed
that four single engines are combined with its own turbopumps. The shape of the
chambers and the nozzles are more similar to the smaller Scud-B engine than to
the Nodong engine. The Nodong engine has greater similarity to the Soviet four-chamber
engine Isayev S2.1150
(Burya booster). In addition however clear differences
between all engines are to be determined. In any case, this engine YF-2 is a
creation of Isayev's design bureau. All the details are typical
It is probable that China deployed a small number of DF-3 missiles beginning
in late 1971. There are at least two versions of the DF-3. The initial model
had a range of about 2,650 kilometers. During 1983 and 1984 a range extension
program on the DF-3 increased the range. This DF-3A normally has a range of 2,780
kilometers, with a maximum altitude of 550 kilometers.
Of a total of some 100 DF-3 missiles, about 80 are of the improved DF-3A version
which was deployed beginning in 1986.
The DF-3A provided the first stage for the follow-on two-stage DF-4 missile.
It also provided the first stage of China's first space launch vehicle CZ-1.
The space booster developed from the DF-4 launched China's first two successful
space satellites.
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| Chinese DF-3 & DF-3A missile |
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Large engine bay
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Left: Combustion chamber of YF-2 engine
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