DF-31

The Dong Feng 31 is a long-range, three stage, solid propellant intercontinental ballistic missile in the Dongfeng missile series developed by the People's Republic of China It is a land-based variant of the submarine launched is operated by the Second Artillery which is estimated to have under 15 DF-31 missiles and under 15 DF-31A missiles in inventory.The DF-31 traces its origins to the JL-2 SLBM, which entered development in the 1970sThe PRC began development on the DF-31 as a second-generation ICBM successor to the DF-4 in the mid-1980s. ARMT (then called the 4th Aerospace Academy) was appointed as the main contractor while the research arm of the Second Artillery Corps provided contributing support. The land-based variant of the JL-2 was originally called the DF-23 but was changed later on to the DF-31 because of a change in operational requirements. During its development, the DF-31 reportedly had technical problems with its solid fuel motors.The DF-31 reportedly was first test-fired on April 29, 1992, and exploded after launch due to component quality problems. The second launch also reportedly failed due to similar component problems. In 1999, the missile was first displayed publicly at the National Day Parade. On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began sometime between 2002-2003, but as of early 2006 the US Defense Department reported to Congress that initial deployment was expected later that year. In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed.