China's desert test simulates strike on US naval target
According to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, China conducted a mock warfare exercise against the United States. In a specially prepared environment, Beijing launched a ballistic missile at a simulated American ship.
China tested their anti-ship ballistic missile at a range in the Taklamakan Desert. The video released shows the missile's launch and its impact on a mock ship. Analysts at Defense Express suggest that the missile is likely the DF-21D model, which has a range of up to 960 miles and can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.
Modern guidance systems
In the short video shared online, China is seen launching a missile towards the Taklamakan Desert. This location was chosen specifically because a massive 25-mile railroad line was built there. Mock ships, including American ones, move along this line to simulate sea movements.
The target dummies move on rails but are significantly smaller than real vessels. Defense Express notes that the object hit by the DF-21D missile was about 260 feet long, at least half the size of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. However, a smaller target presents a better test for the missile, as it requires greater accuracy to hit.
The DF-21D missile, which was likely used for testing in the Taklamakan Desert, is a two-stage anti-ship ballistic missile propelled by solid fuel, and it entered service in 2006.
Its estimated range is nearly 994 miles. The warhead on the DF-21D weighs up to 1,323 pounds and can be either conventional or nuclear. A key advantage of this missile is its self-guidance system, which uses GPS data and other technologies to accurately strike a small, moving ship.
