Does anyone else find the foreground rather odd, like whatever that white stuff is (snow?) and how that black line ends exactly where the white stuff ends?

I believe we had a conversation a few months ago about whether this weapon is deployed or not.  The missile can deliver 5 warheads(3 if with decoys) to most of the CONUS. 4 such missiles is enough to neutralize all U.S deployed ABM assets in Alaska.

I agree:  DF-31A will be a powerful addition to China's nuclear deterrent.

 

Jim, I've got a picture of a possible underground garage for these babies if you'll supply me with an email address, I don't think I have the upto address anymore.

Feel free to e-mail me at

 

 

Jim, I've got a picture of a possible underground garage for these babies if you'll supply me with an email address, I don't think I have the upto address anymore.

Nan, you should have my email address.  would be obliged if you could flick it my way as well.  Or if not, then Jim can send me a copy.

 

 

As was noted on the China thread covering this - Myth is way off on his calculations of size.

 

First, he used people in the background of the picture as the ruler to measure the missiles in the foreground.  His size specs are way way way off because of this.

 

Second, these are missile cold-launch tubes not missiles.  Thus, they have to be larger that the enclosed missile.  If you need more information - do a google on cold launch ejection.

 

Third, the TEL transporting it is a tell-tale sign of both weight and length of the missile.  The TEL here is too small to carry a DF-31 much less the larger DF-31A.  The best speculation was a variant of a DF-11, DF-15 or possible DF-25 (which has never been seen).  The PLA thread reported by Bill Gertz cited them as DF-25 missiles.

 

Fourth, the missile launch tube is smaller than the DF-31 launch tube.  The DF-31 is a much larger system.  The tubes in the picture resemble the DF-21 launch system.