DF-5

The DF-5 was designed under the leadership of Tu Shou'e 屠守锷 at the China Academy of Launch Technology (CALT); Li Xu'e [李绪鄂] served as deputy chief designer. The missile was produced at China's Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co. [首都航天机械公司], also known as the Capital Machine Factory [首都机械厂]).

The DF-5 was first flight tested in 1971, with final tests into the Pacific Ocean in May 1980.^[8] Two silo-based missiles were put into 'trial operational deployment' in 1981.^[8] It had a range of 10,000 to 13,000 km which allowed it to target western portions of the United States. Beginning in 1986 the Chinese started developing the improved DF-5A,^[8] with range increased to over 15,000 km and a more accurate guidance system. The DF-5A upgrade increased the throw-weight of the system from 7,000 kg to 10,200 kg.

As with the DF-4, initially the DF-5 was stored in a horizontal position in tunnels under high mountains, and are launched immediately outside the mouth of the tunnel. The missiles must be moved into the open and fueled prior to firing, an operational mode dubbed chu men fang pao (firing a cannon outdoors), with the fueling operation apparently requiring about two hours. The initial deployment of a pair of DF-5s in silos in Central China was completed in 1981. That portion of the DF-5A force that is deployed in silos could be maintained in a ready-to-fire status. In order to enhance the survivability of these missiles, China has constructed a large number of decoy silos which consist of shallow holes excavations with headworks that resemble operational silos.

According to the US National Air and Space Intelligence Center, as of 1998 the deployed DF-5 force consisted of "about 25" missiles. From early 1999 to 2008 the total deployed DF-5 force was generally estimated at about 20 missiles.^[9] As of 2017, there were about 20 operational DF-5 launchers.^[10]

DF-5B

According to a 2015 US report, Business Insider, Jane's Defence Weekly, and The Diplomat, China had begun to MIRV its DF-5s.^{[2][3][11][12][13]} It is believed that about twelve warheads can be placed on each MIRVed missile.^{[12][14][15][3]}

An improved version, named DF-5B, was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on 3 September 2015.^[16][17] By that time, the DoD estimated China of having approximately 83 DF-5 ICBMs, with 50 of them being DF-5B variants containing MIRVs. Although China has had the technology to field MIRV warheads for decades, they have only recently begun to do so, likely in response to the development of the American ballistic missile defense system.^[18] The DF-5B supposedly has an increased throw weight of 8000 kg.^{[citation needed]}

DF-5C

China has begun testing a new variant of a DF-5 missile, which can carry 12 MIRV nuclear warheads. It is called the DF-5C.^[19]

• 
• 
  First stage of the DF-5B
• 
  Another view of the first stage

•  People's Republic of China: The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is the only operator of the DF-5.

• SS-18 – Type of intercontinental ballistic missile designed by the Soviet Union
• Titan II – US ICBM, in service from 1962 to 1987

• CSIS Missile Threat - Dong Feng 5 A/B
• DF-5