JL-3
The JL-3 (Chinese: 巨浪-3; pinyin: Jù Làng Sān; lit. 'Giant Wave 3'; NATO reporting name: CSS-NX-20[2]) is a Chinese third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It arms the Type 094 submarine,[3] and is expected to arm the future Type 096.[2] HistoryThe first test flight occurred on 24 November 2018 in the Bohai Sea; it was likely a test of the launch tube's cold-launch ejection system.[4] According to anonymous Chinese sources, the Type 032 submarine made the first three test launches, with a Type 094 making the fourth in December 2019.[5] In 2020, anonymous Chinese sources reported that development of the JL-3 and Type 096 had been decoupled to speed up missile development, and that it would take at least five years to integrate the missile with the submarine.[5] In November 2022, the United States Navy reported that the Type 094 was rearmed with the JL-3.[3] DescriptionThe JL-3 is reported as a solid-fueled missile with ranges of over 9,000 km (5,600 mi)[4] or 10,000 km (6,200 mi).[1] The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports the likely payload to be three MIRV nuclear warheads.[6] References
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