Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems first reported in September 2012 that China was developing a new short- to medium-range ballistic missile designated DF-16. The 2015 U.S. DoD Report on the PRC Military Power mentioned the DF-16 (CSS-11) for the first time, stating that the missile had already been in operational deployment.
Dongfeng-16, a relatively mysterious member of the Chinese missile family, is a ground-to-ground ballistic missile It has a diameter of 1.2 m and can carry a 1,000 kg payload to between 800-1,000 km with a reported a range of up to 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) for smaller payloads.
Multi RVs mean it is a multi-role BM.. It can be equipped with up to three MIRV high explosive, nuclear, or sub-munition warheads.
The missile is expected to be fitted with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) coupled with GPS mid-course guidance, plus a radar/optical terminal guidance system with a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) to achieve a CEP of 5—10 m, enough for precision strike against a point target. The missile is carried on a five-axle (10 x 10) Sanjiang Wanshan (WS) series transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle
One version, likely the original, had a more aerodynamic bullet-shaped fuselage, while the other appeared to be a newer variant with a potentially maneuverable warhead featuring fins on the upper stage..
A DF-16 ready for launch.
A DF-16 ready for launch at night.