China's Military Technological Milestones

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - includes date and yield of China's first neutron bomb

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.
(Source:
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1995*: China built indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloys prior to 1995. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, actual DD3 discovery was probably closer to year 1990)

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

2000: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).
2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport first flight.

[Note: I will update this list as new weapon systems enter service. For example, China's Type 095 nuclear attack submarine is expected to enter service in 2015.]

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"5 Things You Didn’t Know About China’s Terra-Cotta Army
By Kate Springer | May 04, 2012
...
1. Preservation Power Archaeologists have unearthed roughly 40,000 bronze weapons from the terra-cotta pits. From spears to battle axes, crossbows to arrowheads, these exquisitely made pieces have been preserved with the help of a protective chromium coating. Though both the Germans and Americans invented this chrome-plating technology in 1937 and ’50, respectively, it existed in China 2,200 years ago."
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - includes deployment of Chinese ASBM

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.
1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1995*: China built indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloys prior to 1995. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, actual DD3 discovery was probably closer to year 1990)

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

2000: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).
2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today." (Source:
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Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - includes Initial Operating Capability of JL-2 SLBM

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1995*: China built indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloys prior to 1995. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, actual DD3 discovery was probably closer to year 1990)

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

2000: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).
2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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ZnW1fhP.jpg

"Submarine launch of JL-2 SLBM"

[Note: Thank you to ChineseTiger1986 for noticing the Pentagon update on the JL-2 SLBM.]
 
Last edited:

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - deployment of H-6K thermonuclear-capable bombers

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1995*: China built indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloys prior to 1995. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, actual DD3 discovery was probably closer to year 1990)

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

2000: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).
2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013."
2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles. Source: Jane's Defence

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"H-6K bombers delivered to PLA Air Force
By Chen Boyuan
June 22, 2013

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force recently received 15 H-6K bombers with nuclear capabilities, according to British military digest Jane’s Defence Weekly.
...
Jane’s Defence was the first media outlet to confirm that the H6-K had formally entered active service.
...
H-6K reportedly has a combat radius of 3,500 KM. The nuclear-capable Changjian (long sword)-10 cruise missiles it carries have a range of 1,500-2,000 KM, effectively extending the bomber’s combat range to 4,000-5,000 KM - long enough to reach Okinawa, Guam and even Hawaii from China’s mainland."

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uxF5Qrk.jpg

China's H-6K "God of War" bomber with CJ-10 thermonuclear-capable cruise missiles
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - corrected date for DD3 discovery and added WS-13 single-crystal turbine blade technology

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.) [Source on page 39:
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]

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

2000: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).
2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

Sources:

WS-13 turbofan engine uses "single crystal turbine blades":
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WS-13 turbofan engine had first static test in 2006:
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2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013."
2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - corrected date for Chinese TU-154 long-range ELINT aircraft

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built an indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.) [Source on page 39:
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]

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.

1999: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).

Source:

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"According to a Jane’s Defense Weekly article, the PLAAF has also operationally deployed its first generation of locally developed long-range ELINT aircraft in early 1999. According to the report, “four modified TU-154 aircraft, fitted with radomes, have been deployed in the Nanjing MR.” In 1990, the PLAAF upgraded its defense (non-aircraft) capabilities. This involved three of its branches: SAM, AAA, and radar troops. PLA identified the likely problem areas in an article in Jiefangjun Bao, dated July 14, 1998."

2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

Sources:

WS-13 turbofan engine uses "single crystal turbine blades":
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WS-13 turbofan engine had first static test in 2006:
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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)
2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.

----------

fb0mJ9p.jpg

"The PLAAF Tu-154M/D's are distinguished by a large 'canoe' faring under the forward fuselage, which is believed to contain a ground-mapping synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system."
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - added first public revelation of Chinese stealth coating

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built an indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.)

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.
1998: "At the 1998 Zhuhai Air Show, the [Chinese] Seek Optics Company displayed information of its stealth coating and software for stealth shaping.[63]"

Source:
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My comment: Interestingly, China's revelation of its stealth coating preceded by one year the shoot-down of an American F-117 Nighthawk in Serbia. China did not need a sample of the F-117 stealth coating.

1999: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).

2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - added China's first atomic clock (important for guiding MIRVs) and optical clock (which is more accurate than an atomic clock)

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1972: China builds its first atomic clock at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO).

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"The first Chinese-made atomic clock was built in SHAO in 1972, and since then several hydrogen masers made in SHAO have been used at VLBI stations."

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built an indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.)

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.
1998: "At the 1998 Zhuhai Air Show, the [Chinese] Seek Optics Company displayed information of its stealth coating and software for stealth shaping.[63]"

1999: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).

2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.
2012: China builds its first optical clock (which is more precise than an atomic clock).

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"China unveils first optical clock
Xinhua
2012-07-12

WUHAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Scientists in central China's Hubei province said they have assembled the country's first optical clock, which measures time more precisely than traditional atomic timekeepers.

The optical clock, based on a single calcium ion, can remain accurate within one second for more than 10 million years, said Gao Kelin, a researcher at the Hubei Academy of Sciences. (article continues)"

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.

----------

Why are atomic clocks important? Precise atomic clocks used in a GPS satellite system can guide MIRVed thermonuclear warheads to their targets with incredible accuracy.

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"by Geoffrey Forden - 2004
Carrying an atomic clock, however, allows the system to be used in a mode that can provide sufficient accuracy to be used on MIRVed Chinese ICBMs en route ..."
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - Bill Gertz reports China is building 1,240 miles of special tracks for rail-mobile ICBMs

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1972: China builds its first atomic clock at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO).

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built an indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.)

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.
1998: "At the 1998 Zhuhai Air Show, the [Chinese] Seek Optics Company displayed information of its stealth coating and software for stealth shaping.[63]"

1999: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).

2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.
2012: China builds its first optical clock (which is more precise than an atomic clock).

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.
2013: Bill Gertz reports China is building 1,240 miles of special tracks for rail-mobile ICBMs.

Source:

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"Riding the Nuclear Rails
China developing rail mobile strategic missiles
BY: Bill Gertz
January 25, 2013

4fP2XGg.jpg


China is building strategic long-range missile trains as part of its major nuclear forces buildup, according to new information from China and U.S. strategic specialists.

Chinese state-run television recently broadcast a program monitored in Taiwan that disclosed new details of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) rail basing system for ICBMs, including the possibility of a rail-mobile launcher. The program was uncovered and translated by Georgetown University’s Asian Arms Control Project.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force recently sought proposals from the U.S. defense industry for a future U.S. rail-mobile ICBM that would be hidden in tunnels.

According to an analysis of the Chinese television program, China already has deployed strategic missile trains as part of a nuclear forces tunnel and basing system that until recently was a closely guarded secret.

Video released by the Chinese shows the strategic missile train disguised as a military passenger train with windows, but hollowed out for holding China’s new long-range missiles, known as DF-31 and DF-31A systems. Those systems are currently deployed on road-mobile launchers.

The program revealed that the Chinese are building between 620 miles and 1,240 miles of special rail tracks capable of handling the heavy ballistic missile trains.

Pentagon spokesmen declined to comment on reports of Chinese railing mobile missiles, stating that information on the weapons is secret.


Phillip Karber, a former arms control official who started the Georgetown arms project, said if China deploys rail-mobile missile forces over the next decade, it will pose “major questions for American strategy and arms control policy.”

“The combination of mobile-road/rail ICBMs with [multiple, independently-targetable reentry vehicles] deployed in underground tunnel complexes produces compounded entropy over time,” Karber said.

“At first, a few experimental units may not mean much, but the longer they are secretly deployed, the greater our uncertainty on the numbers and the implications.”

Karber said he shares concerns of arms control specialists who are critical of the U.S. government for not providing more public details about China’s rail-based nuclear missiles.

“The open source material we have seen are like the shadows flickering on Plato’s cave—ominous but also prone to exaggeration,” he said. “Eventually we are going to need to have a serious discussion of the strategic and arms control implications of China’s strategic tunneling and rail-based ICBMs. But without more information it’s likely to produce more heat than light.”

The Georgetown arms project triggered controversy last year by scooping the U.S. intelligence community in an assessment of China’s underground nuclear facilities, dubbed the Underground Great Wall.

Regarding U.S. missile trains, the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center earlier this month published a proposal for the defense industry seeking ideas for modernizing U.S. ground-based strategic missiles. The proposal stated that one option is to look at rail-mobile “tunnel concept.”

“The tunnel concept mode operates similar to a subway system but with only a single transporter/launcher and missile dedicated to a given tunnel,” the Air Force said. “The vehicle moves at random down the length of the tunnel. The tunnel is long enough to improve survivability but leaving enough room to permit adequate ‘rattle space’ in the event of an enemy attack.”

The missile tunnel diameter would be large enough to fit a missile and mobile launcher described as “self-propelled, unmanned cars [that] can move via rail or in a ‘trackless’ configuration.”

Chinese rail basing of nuclear missiles also was disclosed by the former head of Russian strategic nuclear forces, retired Col. Gen. Viktor Yesin, during a visit to Washington.

Yesin said Russian intelligence had details of the Chinese rail basing system that appears to resemble the Soviet Union’s SS-24 rail-mobile nuclear missile force
, the only such rail based ICBM in the world. That system was taken out of service between 2000 and 2008.

Yesin told a forum on Capitol Hill that Soviet SS-24s were hidden in specially hardened railway spurs to avoid detection and targeting by the United States.

During the visit, Yesin told the conference that Russia believes the Chinese rail-mobile missile system is more reliant on the system of some 3,000 miles of tunnels for the rail-mobile missile.

“We are underestimating Chinese military power,” Yesin said in an interview last month explaining the rationale behind the nuclear buildup. “And China has very ambitious tasks. China has the goal of catching up with the U.S. on GDP by 2025, 2030.”

Karber said the U.S. military in the past considered a rail basing system for Minuteman ICBMs and the Air Force recently sought ideas from the defense industry for a rail- and tunnel-based ICBM system.

However, “the American military has had no operational experience with deployed rail-based missile systems,” Karber said.

Pressure from American arms control advocates in the past dissuaded the United States from deploying rail-mobile ICBMs based on concerns that the combination of hard-to-locate rail mobility and multiple warheads was regarded as potentially destabilizing.

Yesin said in December that Russia strengthened 6,200 miles of rail lines with stronger gauge track to support the heavier ICBM rail cars and allow them to launch the missiles from trains that were moved around the country.

Chinese military commentators have stated in recent years that China is currently converting up to 1,200 miles of track for heavy missile trains.

Chinese state-controlled media also have said the Chinese military’s missile train is built on a Ukrainian design and technology transfer.

Yesin, in the Capitol Hill speech, confirmed that the SS-24 was designed in the Ukraine during the Soviet Union. He noted close similarities between the SS-24 and video and photos of the Chinese missile train.

Video footage obtained from official Chinese television also reveals missiles being loaded horizontally through the ends of rail cars even though the railcars had retractable roofs indicating possible launcher capabilities.

Yesin said Russian assessments are that the end-loading was an attempt to avoid damage to the car and missile while loading.


Disclosure of the rail-mobile missile system comes amid reports that China also is developing MIRV warheads for its growing ICBM force. Russian SS-24s carried up to 10 warheads each.

Each SS-24 train carried three missile launch cars and the total force of at least 12 trains for a total of up to 360 nuclear warheads capable of hitting the United States.

Georgetown students with the Asian Arms Control Project translated details of the Chinese reports of the missile train.

According to a Taiwanese television analysis of the CCTV report, the Chinese missile train is a “formidable” strategic weapon.

“This missile train is of very high importance,” one Taiwanese commentator said. “So the Party has already made 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers of track for it. Also, it can reach speeds of between 100 and 200 kilometers per hour, so this is the nuclear train’s most terrifying feature.”

Such mobile ICBMs are considered destabilizing to the strategic nuclear balance because they are hard to locate, can be set up quickly, and are able to be launched rapidly with little or no warning.


Richard Fisher, a China military affairs expert, said the United States should also be concerned by signs that Moscow is planning to revive its rail-mobile ICBM program.

'I would expect that Russia would be designing new systems that could more easily handle new lighter solid-fueled ICBMs, a direction that might also interest the PLA,' China’s military, Fisher said.

'Given the PLA’s interest in ‘leap ahead’ technologies, they might even be considering how to adopt their new high speed trains to the deployment of ICBMs.'"
 

Martian

Senior Member
China's Military Technological Milestones - China deploys advanced DF-12 SRBM with MARV thermonuclear-capable warhead

210 B.C. (2,200 years ago): China invents chrome-plating technology during Qin Dynasty under emperor Qin Shihuang.

1964: China detonated a 22-kiloton atomic bomb during the Mao Zedong administration.

1967: China detonated a 3.3-megaton thermonuclear bomb that was designed with abacus calculations.

1970: China successfully sends its first satellite into space - the Dong Fang Hong I

1971: China successfully launched its first DF-5 ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range and capable of carrying a five-megaton "city buster" thermonuclear warhead.

1972: China builds its first atomic clock at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO).

1984: China built its first cryogenic YF-73 rocket engine.

1986: China built an indigenous DD3 nickel-based single-crystal superalloy. (Earliest English article citation is year 1995. However, the first published Chinese research paper on DD3 discovery was in 1986.)

1988: China test-detonates a 1- to 20-kiloton Neutron Bomb on September 29, 1988.

1998: Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon had its first flight. Officially unveiled in 2007.
1998: "At the 1998 Zhuhai Air Show, the [Chinese] Seek Optics Company displayed information of its stealth coating and software for stealth shaping.[63]"

1999: Chinese JSTARS Tu-154M/D Electronic Intelligence Aircraft in service (e.g. Careless B-4138).

2000: China successfully sends its first GPS satellite (Beidou) into space.

2001: Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank in service.

2002: China's Type 093 Shang-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) is launched.

2003: China sends its first taikonaut Yang Liwei into space.
2003: China's KJ-2000 AWACS with domestic AESA radar has its first flight.
2003*: DD6 is China's indigenous second-generation nickel-based single-crystal superalloy (Earliest English article citation is year 2003. However, actual DD6 discovery was probably closer to year 2000.)

2005: China's Type 052C Lanzhou-class AESA-equipped destroyer entered service.

2006: China's WS-10A turbofan engine certified for production.
2006: First static test of the WS-13 turbofan engine with single-crystal turbine blades.

2007: China clones world's first rabbit.
2007: Chinese direct-ascent ASAT shoots down orbiting satellite.
2007: Chinese DF-31A MIRVed ICBM in service.

2008: China conducts its first spacewalk with taikonaut Zhai Zhigang.
2008: China orbits its first data tracking and relay communications satellite - Tianlian I

2009: Public disclosure of China's 5,000km "Underground Great Wall"

2010: China builds world's-fastest supercomputer Tianhe-1A.
2010: Chinese GBI (i.e. ground based interceptor) shoots down a ballistic missile during mid-course phase.
2010: Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter in service.
2010: Chinese Type 094 Jin-class nuclear missile ballistic submarine (SSBN) in service.
2010: Chinese Yaogan 9 NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) satellite trio in orbit.

2011: Chengdu J-20 stealth superfighter has first flight on January 11, 2011.

2012: China sends its first woman taikonaut Liu Yang into space on a 10-day mission.
2012: Chinese Jialong manned submersible completes world record-breaking 7,000 meter dive.
2012: First sighting of next-generation AESA radar for Type 052C destroyer.
2012: DF-41 10-MIRV-capable ICBM with 12,000-15,000km range had first flight on July 24, 2012.
2012: Chinese Type 056 corvette enters service.
2012: New Chinese thermonuclear-capable IRBM with 4,000km range (to potentially strike Guam).
2012: China's Beidou System successfully covers all of China and the surrounding region.
2012: Shenyang J-31 medium-range stealth fighter has first flight on October 31, 2012.
2012: China builds its first optical clock (which is more precise than an atomic clock).

2013: China's Y-20 heavy-lift military transport conducts first flight on January 26, 2013.
2013: "The Chinese military has deployed its new anti-ship ballistic missile [ASBM or "carrier killer"] along its southern coast facing Taiwan, the Pentagon’s top military intelligence officer said today."
2013: "After a round of successful testing in 2012, the JL-2 appears ready to reach initial operational capability in 2013." (Source [p. 39, Pentagon 2013 report on Chinese Military Power]:
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)
2013: China has deployed H-6K "God of War" bomber that is capable of carrying thermonuclear-capable CJ-10 cruise missiles.
2013: Bill Gertz reports China is building 1,240 miles of special tracks for rail-mobile ICBMs.
2013: China deploys advanced SRBM with MARV (maneuverable reentry vehicle) thermonuclear-capable warhead

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"China Reveals New Short-Range Missile
DF-12 among more than 5 new short-range missiles
BY: Bill Gertz
August 2, 2013 5:00 am
...
Chinese military has deployed a new advanced short-range missile known as the DF-12.
...
Information from Chinese sales representatives and promotional materials also indicates these new short-range ballistic missile are maneuverable, which further complicates the task of missile defenses and can be armed with different types of warheads,” Fisher said.

'In PLA service it can be expected that some DF-12 class SRBMs will be armed with tactical nuclear warheads.'"

----------

My analysis:

In 2001, George W. Bush announced America's withdrawal from the ABM treaty. America intended to build about twenty interceptors to neutralize China's retaliatory strike capability.

In response, China started arming its DF-5 ICBMs with MIRVs and MARVs. This was the only way to ensure that China could maintain a minimum thermonuclear deterrent against an aggressor.

Since China could not predict American progress with missile interceptors, China had to follow a conservative path to preserve its second-strike capability.

China developed the DF-31A 3-MIRVed ICBM, which is road-mobile. From Bill Gertz, we know China is currently building about 1,000 miles of special train tracks for rail-mobile ICBMs. The DF-31A provided new capability, because the DF-5 is not road-mobile. Also, the DF-31A is solid-fueled and can be launched in 15 minutes.

The next evolutionary step was to develop the DF-41 10-MIRVed solid-fueled ICBM. This is a more efficient way to deliver more MIRVs per missile.

To evade American missile defense, Chinese thermonuclear warheads are MARVed to fly along an unpredictable and non-ballistic path. This technology was first employed on the thermonuclear-armed ICBMs, because China needed to preserve its second-strike capability.

The MARV technology migrated over to the DF-21D ASBM IRBM/MRBM and found a new use in destroying capital ships (e.g. aircraft carriers or destroyers) with a conventional warhead.

In the DF-12 SRBM, we can see that Chinese MARV technology has diffused all the way down the food chain to a relatively unimportant tactical weapon like a SRBM.

An ICBM serves a strategic purpose. Its job is to wipe out the opponent.

A DF-21D ASBM IRBM/MRBM is not a strategic weapon, but it can help in accomplishing strategic goals by wiping out the enemy's most important capital ships.

A SRBM (like the DF-12) is not that important and can only help to accomplish tactical objectives. However, it is an indication of the depth of China's modernization that we're seeing MARVs being deployed at the SRBM level.

In conclusion, it has been twelve years after George W. Bush withdrew America from the ABM treaty. Ironically, China is stronger than ever. The United States had intended to weaken China's bargaining power by neutralizing its second-strike capability.

Instead, China's second-strike thermonuclear warheads have mushroomed into the hundreds (or thousands) of thermonuclear warheads. Additionally, Chinese MARV technology has now diffused down into the SRBM level to enhance China's tactical strike capability. To my knowledge, no Patriot missile has ever been shown capable of intercepting a Mach 6 MARV. In fact, the current Patriot design limitation is Mach 5 and can only intercept a missile on a ballistic path.

China's DF-12 SRBM has rendered all Patriot batteries obsolete.
 
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