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.
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 10×10 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.