JL-2

Julang-2 (JL-2)
Julang-2 (JL-2)
Type	SLBM
Place of origin	People's Republic of China
Service history
In service	Active as of 2015
Used by	People's Liberation Army Navy
Specifications
Mass	42,000 kilograms (93,000 lb)
Length	13 metres (43 ft)
Warhead	single or 3-8 MIRV nuclear warhead
Blast yield	1 megaton of TNT (4.2 PJ) single, 20/90/150kt
Propellant	Solid-fuel rocket
Operational; range	3,900 nmi (7,200 km)
Guidance; system	Astro-inertial with satellite-based updates
Launch; platform	Type 094 submarine

The JL-2 (Chinese: 巨浪-2; pinyin: Jù Làng Èr; lit. 'Giant Wave 2', NATO reporting name CSS-N-14) is a Chinese second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed on the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Type 094 submarines.

The JL-2 provides China with its first viable sea-based nuclear deterrent.

Development

The JL-2 was developed as part of a larger program to replace the liquid-fuelled ballistic missiles developed from 1965 with solid-fuelled missiles. The JL-2 was the SLBM variant of the land-based DF-31. Development of both missiles began in the mid-1980s, with the SLBM having less priority. The first JL-2 at-sea launch occurred in 2001 from a Type 031 submarine. The missile suffered a series of testing failures. A successful test cycle was achieved in 2012.

During the development of the missile, it was reported that China was considering modifying the missile to accommodate an anti-satellite warhead to give it a sea-based anti-satellite capability.

Type 094 deterrence patrols with JL-2 missiles began in December 2015. Each submarine may carry 12 missiles.

Description

The JL-2 is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile, with a maximum range of 3,900 nmi (7,200 km). It carries a single 1 megaton warhead. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missile may carry 3-8 MIRVs with yields of 20, 90, or 150 kilotons.

References

1 2 Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (16 December 2015). "China advances sea- and land-based nuclear deterrent capabilities". Jane's Defence Weekly. 53 (6). Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISSN 0265-3818.
1 2 3 4 "JL-2". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
1 2 Rahmat, Ridzwan (25 March 2014). "PACOM chief says China will deploy long-range nuclear missiles on subs this year". janes.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 3 Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2024, p. 53.
↑ Logan 2019, pp. 397–398.
1 2 Logan 2019, p. 399.
1 2 Lewis, Jeffrey (25 June 2005). "JL-2 SLBM Flight Test". Arms Control Wonk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ Descisciolo 2005, p. 52.
↑ Gertz, Bill (18 January 2008). "Submarine ASAT". Washington Post. Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015 – via HighBeam Research.^{[dead link]}
↑ Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat 2020, p. 3.
↑ Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat 2020, p. 33.

Sources

Descisciolo, Dominic (2005). "China's Space Development and Nuclear Strategy". In Goldstein, Lyle J. (ed.). China's Nuclear Force Modernization. Newport Papers. Naval War College Press. ISSN 1544-6824.
Logan, David C. (2019). "Making Sense of China's Missile Forces". In Saunders, Phillip C.; Ding, Arthur S.; Scobell, Andrew; Yang, Andrew N.D.; Joel, Wuthnow (eds.). Chairman Xi Remakes the PLA: Assessing Chinese Military Reforms. Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press. ISBN 978-1070233420.
Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2024 (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Defense. 2024.
Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (PDF) (Report). United States National Air and Space Intelligence Center. July 2020.

External links

JL-2 from Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica

[Fisher-1] 1 2 Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (16 December 2015). "China advances sea- and land-based nuclear deterrent capabilities". Jane's Defence Weekly. 53 (6). Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISSN 0265-3818.

[mt-2] 1 2 3 4 "JL-2". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2026.

[jane-3] 1 2 Rahmat, Ridzwan (25 March 2014). "PACOM chief says China will deploy long-range nuclear missiles on subs this year". janes.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2015.

[FOOTNOTEMilitary_and_Security_Developments_Involving_the_People's_Republic_of_China202453-4] 1 2 3 Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2024, p. 53.

[FOOTNOTELogan2019397–398-5] Logan 2019, pp. 397–398.

[FOOTNOTELogan2019399-6] 1 2 Logan 2019, p. 399.

[wonk-7] 1 2 Lewis, Jeffrey (25 June 2005). "JL-2 SLBM Flight Test". Arms Control Wonk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2015.

[FOOTNOTEDescisciolo200552-8] Descisciolo 2005, p. 52.

[9] Gertz, Bill (18 January 2008). "Submarine ASAT". Washington Post. Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015 – via HighBeam Research.^{[dead link]}

[FOOTNOTEBallistic_and_Cruise_Missile_Threat20203-10] Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat 2020, p. 3.

[FOOTNOTEBallistic_and_Cruise_Missile_Threat202033-11] Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat 2020, p. 33.