Initially, the CJ-10 was identified as the DH-10 (Chinese: 东海-10; pinyin: Dong Hai 10; lit. 'east sea 10') by Western media and analysts.[6][7] United States Department of Defense reports used "DH-10" until 2011,[8][9] and then "CJ-10" from 2012.[10][11] Publications may use both terms interchangeably.[1][12] The Center for Strategic and International Studies believes that the CJ-10 is a member of the Hongniao (HN) series of missiles;[13] Ian Easton believes that the CJ-10 is the same missile as the HN-2, and that the HN-3 is the "DH-10A".[14]
In 2013, the United States believes that the missile has a range of more than 1,500 km, and can potentially carry either conventional or nuclear payloads.[2] In 2004, the CJ-10 was credited with a CEP of 10 m.[15]
The YJ-100 is a subsonic anti-ship version of the CJ-10 with a range of 800 km (500 mi; 430 nmi). The missile can be air-launched by the H-6 bomber and fired from a vertical launching system of the Type 055 destroyer according to Chinese expert Li Li on Chinese television.[16] The YJ-100 will have an onboard radar.[17]
Development
The development of the CJ-10 could have potentially benefited significantly from Chinese acquisition of NATO and Soviet missile technology in the 1990s, notably the Kh-55 (purchased from Ukraine), and the Tomahawk cruise missiles (that were unexploded and purchased from Iraq and Serbia).[14] The detailed production engineering data packages of the Kh-55 LACM were bought from Ukraine in 2001.[18] A 1995 Russian document suggested a complete production facility had been transferred to Shanghai, for the development of a nuclear-armed cruise missile. Originally it was thought that this was based on the 300 km-range Raduga Kh-15 (AS-16 'Kickback'), but it now appears that it was the Kh-55 that was transferred to China.[5]
Jane's Information Group reported the CJ-10 was tested 2004.[15] An August 2012 report by Jane's indicated that a shipborne variant of the missile may have been tested on Bi Sheng, a Chinese weapons trial ship.[19]
The United States in 2008 estimated that 50–250 missiles were in service,[20] increasing to 150–350 in 2009.[21]
Variants
CJ-10 (DF-10)
Baseline version. Known as DH-10 during the prototype phase.[22] Sometimes called the DF-10.[22]
Air-launched version of the CJ-10[25] with an estimated range of more than 2,000 km (1,200 mi; 1,100 nmi).[26] Reportedly been tested on the Xian H-6; each bomber may carry four missiles externally.[27]
YJ-100
Anti-ship version with an 800 km (500 mi)[17] or 1,000–1,500 km (620–930 mi) range,[1] launched by H-6 bomber and Type 055 destroyer.[16][17] Air-launched YJ-100[28] and CJ-10K[1] are both referred as KD-20 in separate sources.
