2010 Chinese anti-ballistic missile test

Last updated

The People's Republic of China carried out a land-based high-altitude anti-ballistic missile test on 11 January 2010. [1] This reportedly made China the second country in the world after the United States of America to successfully destroy an incoming missile beyond the Earth's atmosphere. [2]

Contents

Possible purpose

The test came just after an American official announced in Taipei that The Pentagon had just approved the sale of the MIM-104 Patriot missile system to Taiwan. In fact, the sale was part of a deal passed by the United States Congress more than a year before. [3] Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense had voiced its strong opposition to these sales. Observers and analysts think the test was a response to the deal, and showed Beijing's stance on the issue. [3]

However, some others believe this test was routine, because [1] an article appeared in the PLA Daily as early as on November 12, 2009, claiming that a new type of Chinese missile provided anti-ballistic missile capability and would go to further tests. Recently, the statements from Zhu Zhuhua (朱祝华), a director of the People's Liberation Army Air Force Equipment Research Institute (解放军空军装备研究院) supported the claim. [1] Based on this analysis, the test was coincidental to Taiwan's weapon deal.

Basic information

The flight of Intercontinental ballistic missiles has three stages in air, the boost phase (the 1st phase), the mid-course phase (the 2nd phase), and the final reentry phase (also known as terminal phase). [1] The Chinese test targeted on the mid-course phase when the target was out of the atmosphere. [4] The test was successful. [1] [4] The full name of the test is called the Test of the Land-based Mid-course Phase Anti-ballistic Missile Interception Technology (simplified Chinese: 陆基中段反导拦截技术试验). However, the exact launch sites and types of these two missiles are not clarified in Chinese news, although it was rumored that the interceptor was designated the DN-1 or "Dong Neng 1".

According to The Pentagon, Beijing did not inform the test in advance. [3] And the statement "We detected two geographically separated missile launch events with an exo-atmospheric collision also being observed by space-based sensors", by The Pentagon spokeswoman Major Maureen Schumann, also proves the profile and results of the test. [3]

See also

Some related concepts:

Organizations:

Some recent tests:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-ballistic missile</span> Surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles

An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles. Ballistic missiles are used to deliver nuclear, chemical, biological, or conventional warheads in a ballistic flight trajectory. The term "anti-ballistic missile" is a generic term for a system designed to intercept and destroy any type of ballistic threat; however, it is commonly used for systems specifically designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dongfeng (missile)</span> Peoples Republic of Chinas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States national missile defense</span> Nationwide missile defense program of the United States

National missile defense (NMD) refers to the nationwide antimissile program the United States has had in development since the 1990s. After the renaming in 2002, the term now refers to the entire program, not just the ground-based interceptors and associated facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ground-Based Midcourse Defense</span> United States anti-ballistic missile defense for intercepting warheads in space

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), previously National Missile Defense (NMD), is an anti-ballistic missile system implemented by the United States of America for defense against ballistic missiles, during the midcourse phase of ballistic trajectory flight. It is a major component of the American missile defense strategy to counter ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carrying nuclear, chemical, biological or conventional warheads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terminal High Altitude Area Defense</span> US ballistic missile defense system

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missile Defense Agency</span> Agency of the US Defense Department

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a component of the United States government's Department of Defense responsible for developing a comprehensive defense against ballistic missiles. It had its origins in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) which was established in 1983 by Ronald Reagan and which was headed by Lt. General James Alan Abrahamson. Under the Strategic Defense Initiative's Innovative Sciences and Technology Office headed by physicist and engineer Dr. James Ionson, the investment was predominantly made in basic research at national laboratories, universities, and in industry. These programs have continued to be key sources of funding for top research scientists in the fields of high-energy physics, advanced materials, nuclear research, supercomputing/computation, and many other critical science and engineering disciplines—funding which indirectly supports other research work by top scientists, and which was most politically viable to fund from appropriations for national defense. It was renamed the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization in 1993, and then renamed the Missile Defense Agency in 2002. The current director is U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Jon A. Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hsiung Feng III</span> Anti-ship missile

The Hsiung Feng III is a medium range supersonic missile with capabilities to destroy both land based targets and naval targets developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Rocket Force</span> Strategic and tactical missile force of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, formerly the Second Artillery Corps, is the strategic and tactical missile force of the People's Republic of China. The PLARF is the 4th branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and controls China's arsenal of land-based ballistic, hypersonic, cruise missiles—both nuclear and conventional. The armed service branch was established on 1 July 1966 and made its first public appearance on 1 October 1984. The headquarters for operations is located at Qinghe, Beijing. The PLARF is under the direct command of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission (CMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit</span>

Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Counter-Terrorism and Special Police Unit referred to as Beijing SWAT, is a police tactical unit in the People's Republic of China part of the People's Police that deals with incidents beyond the capabilities of normal patrol officers such as hostage situations, high risk warrants and riot control. The unit, along with the Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU), was tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is reputed to be one of the most well-equipped and well-trained of all the tactical units of public security agencies in the PRC. Jurisdictionally the unit is under the control of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DF-21</span> MRBM/IRBM

The Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21; NATO reporting name CSS-5 - Dong-Feng is a two-stage, solid-fuel rocket, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile in the Dong Feng series developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy. Development started in the late 1960s and was completed around 1985–86, but it was not deployed until 1991. It was developed from the submarine-launched JL-1 missile, and is China's first solid-fuel land-based missile. The U.S. Department of Defense in 2008 estimated that China had 60-80 missiles and 60 launchers; approximately 10-11 missiles can be built annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Bow</span> Surface-to-air anti-ballistic missile

The Sky Bow, or Tien Kung, are a series of surface-to-air anti-ballistic missile and anti-aircraft defense systems developed by Taiwan. The TK-2 and TK-3 are in service with the Military of the Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-161 Standard Missile 3</span> Kinetic surface-to-air missile (Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System)

The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship-based surface-to-air missile used by the United States Navy to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. Although primarily designed as an anti-ballistic missile, the SM-3 has also been employed in an anti-satellite capacity against a satellite at the lower end of low Earth orbit. The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS), formerly called Prompt Global Strike (PGS), is a United States military effort to develop a system that can deliver a precision-guided conventional weapon strike anywhere in the world within one hour, in a similar manner to a nuclear ICBM. Such a weapon would allow the United States to respond far more swiftly to rapidly emerging threats than is possible with conventional forces. A CPS system could also be useful during a nuclear conflict, potentially replacing the use of nuclear weapons against up to 30% of targets. The CPS program encompasses numerous established and emerging technologies, including conventional surface-launched missiles and air- and submarine-launched hypersonic missiles, although no specific CPS system has yet been finalized as of 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missile defense systems by country</span> Introduction of protective military equipments

Missile defense systems are a type of missile defense intended to shield a country against incoming missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or other ballistic missiles. The United States, Russia, India, France, Israel, Italy, United Kingdom, China and Iran have all developed missile defense systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 08</span> Chinese wheeled armoured fighting vehicle family

The Type 08 is a Chinese family of modern eight-wheeled, amphibious, modular armored vehicles developed by Norinco for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics, and quick reaction operations. Developed in the early 2000s, the vehicle family were produced for more than 6000 hulls and widely deployed by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and People's Liberation Army Marine Corps.

The Pukguksong-1 or Pukkŭksŏng-1, Bukgeukseong-1, alternatively KN-11 in intelligence communities outside North Korea, is a North Korean, two-stage submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that was successfully flight tested on 24 August 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force</span> Former cyber and space force of the Peoples Liberation Army (2015-2024)

The People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force was a service branch of the People's Liberation Army that existed from December 2015 to April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China</span>

The 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was observed with a series of ceremonial events including a grand military parade as its spotlight to celebrate National Day of the People's Republic of China that took place on 1 October 2019 in Beijing. It was the largest military parade and mass pageant in Chinese history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China Railway DDJ1</span> Chinese 1st generation high-speed electric multiple unit

The DDJ1 is a first generation high-speed electric multiple unit built for China Railway, built by Zhuzhou Electric Locomotives, Changchun Railway Vehicles, Sifang Railway Vehicles, Tangshan Passenger vehicle factory, Nanjing Puzhen and developed by Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Research Centre. It was built in 1999, and was an experimental vehicle, with only one set built, as it did not enter mass production. The design was well received as part of national science in the 9th five year plan. The DDJ1 is in a push–pull configuration, with only one locomotive in the set and the other end being a trailer with a driver's cabin.

The New York Anti-Secession Ordinance, also called as Anti-Secession Resolutions of the New York legislature is a temporary resolution passed in 1861 by the New York State Assembly before the outbreak of the American Civil War, calling on the Lincoln administration not to allow the Southern states to secede from the Union.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 我国试验陆基反导 此前仅美国进行过相关试验 (in Chinese). SINA News. 2010-01-12. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  2. "China Said to Close Gap With U.S. Missile Defense in Monday Test" (php). NTI. Jan 14, 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved Jan 14, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "China did not notify the US before anti-missile test: Pentagon". AFP. Jan 13, 2010. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved Jan 14, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "中国测试拦截导弹美国索取数据 (China conducted anti-missile test, US asks for data)" (in Chinese). BBC. 2010-01-12. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2010.