China extends DF-100 supersonic missile range to 4,000 km for strategic strikes.

On November 17, 2024, the Chinese account C Major provided updated data on China’s Dongfeng-100 (DF-100) supersonic cruise missile, also known as the Changjian-100 (CJ-100). The missile is a land-based system with a range reportedly between 3,000 and 4,000 kilometers and a sustained flight speed of Mach 4. It is designed for precision strikes and features capabilities aimed at targeting various types of installations and structures.
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The DF-100’s reported range extends across the Western Pacific, enabling it to reach strategic installations such as the U.S. military bases in Guam, rendering them susceptible to precision strikes. (Picture source: Chinese social media)

The DF-100 was publicly introduced during China’s 70th National Day parade on October 1, 2019. At that time, its range was reported to be 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers, with a speed between Mach 4 and Mach 5. The system is capable of engaging targets such as land-based facilities, reinforced structures, underground bunkers, and large naval vessels. It can be deployed in pairs on a 10x10 transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle and has the potential to be launched from the H-6K bomber. New information suggests an improved range of up to 4,000 kilometers while maintaining a consistent speed of Mach 4.

The DF-100 operates at supersonic speeds for most of its flight and follows a trajectory that takes it into altitudes of over 30 kilometers. This flight profile minimizes atmospheric drag but increases exposure to radar detection. Its guidance system includes inertial navigation, terrain matching, scene matching, and satellite positioning, providing high accuracy. This combination allows the missile to strike both fixed and moving targets, including slow-moving naval vessels.

Specifications for the DF-100 include a length exceeding 9 meters, a projectile diameter ranging between 0.7 and 1 meter, and a payload capacity of over 500 kilograms. The missile is powered by a ramjet engine and achieves speeds of Mach 5 during its terminal phase. Its three-stage operation includes an initial boost phase using a solid rocket motor, a cruise phase at altitudes of 30 to 40 kilometers, and a terminal glide phase. The glide phase involves high-speed maneuvering, enhancing its ability to evade defenses and strike moving targets.

Reports from the U.S. Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute in 2020 identified the DF-100 as part of the PLA Rocket Force’s 656th Brigade in Shandong Province. Its minimum effective range of 2,000 kilometers places Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the northern Philippines within its operational scope. The missile was assessed to have reached full operational capability by 2022.

The DF-100 has been highlighted as a concern in Taiwan’s defense assessments. In October 2023, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense reported to the Legislative Yuan that the missile could affect regional security by limiting allied access to surrounding seas. This assessment is consistent with the missile’s deployment within China’s broader objectives. In response, Taiwan has acquired PAC-3 Patriot systems, while South Korea has deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

The DF-100’s reported range extends across the Western Pacific, enabling it to reach strategic installations such as the U.S. military bases in Guam, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, fall within this range, rendering them susceptible to precision strikes. Additionally, key facilities in Japan, such as the Yokosuka Naval Base and Misawa Air Base, are now within reach, posing a direct threat to U.S. and allied forces stationed there. The DF-100's capability to engage large naval vessels also places aircraft carrier strike groups operating in the Western Pacific at increased risk, potentially altering naval deployment strategies in the region. Furthermore, critical infrastructure in countries like South Korea, including Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys, could be targeted, impacting the operational readiness of U.S. and allied forces.

The missile’s speed, range, and precision suggest applications in China’s Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy. These characteristics may challenge existing missile defense systems by reducing interception response times and increasing the likelihood of penetrating defenses. Its ability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads further adds to its operational utility.

The DF-100 represents developments in missile technology, including enhancements in range, targeting systems, and operational versatility. These improvements, combined with the system’s deployment, affect regional security dynamics. The missile’s range and capabilities require adjustments in defensive measures by neighboring countries and those with interests in the region. As such, the DF-100 is a critical element in discussions of regional military strategy and balance of power.