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At a glance
DF-31larger figure on 1 of 1
LGM-30 Minutemanlarger figure on 0 of 1
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single source21.6 m (70 ft 10 in)[source]
I/B
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | DF-31 | LGM-30 Minuteman |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile[source] | Intercontinental ballistic missile[source] |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China[source] | United States[source] |
| In service | 2006 (DF-31), 2007 (DF-31A), 2017 (DF-31B)[source] | Minuteman I: 1962–1969 Minuteman II: 1965–1994 Minuteman III: 1970–present[source] |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Rocket Force[source] | United States Air Force |
Minuteman I/A Minuteman
Single sourceMinuteman II
Single sourceMinuteman III
Single sourceMinuteman I/A: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m) Minuteman I/B: 55 ft 11 in (17.04 m) Minuteman II: 57 ft 7 in (17.55 m) Minuteman III: 59.9 ft (18.3 m)[source]
Mass
Single source54 t (54,000 kg ; 60 short tons )[source]
Mass
Single sourceMinuteman I: About Minuteman II: About
Single sourceMinuteman III
Single sourceMinuteman I: About 65,000 lb (29,000 kg) Minuteman II: About 73,000 lb (33,000 kg) Minuteman III: 79,432 lb (36,030 kg)[source]
Operational; DF-31
Single sourceOperational; DF-31A
Single source7,200–8,000 km (4,500–5,000 mi) (DF-31) 13,200 km (8,200 mi) (DF-31A)[source]
Operational; Minuteman I
Single sourceOperational; Minuteman II
Single sourceEngine · source measurement 3
Single sourceEngine · source measurement 5
Single source) First stage 202,600 lb (91,900 kg) (Minuteman III
Single source) Second stage : Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1 (
Single source) Third stage : Aerojet / Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1 (
Single sourceThree-stage solid-fuel rocket engines First stage : Thiokol TU-122 (M-55) (
Single sourceThree-stage solid-fuel rocket engines First stage : Thiokol TU-122 (M-55) (178,000 lbf, 790 kN) Second stage : Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1 (60,181 lbf, 267.70 kN) Third stage : Aerojet / Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1 (34,170 lbf, 152.0 kN) First stage 202,600 lb (91,900 kg) (Minuteman III)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Manufacturer | Academy of Rocket Motors Technology (ARMT)[source] | Boeing[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | US$ 7,000,000 (equivalent to $34,600,000 in 2025)[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | 425 kilotonnes of TNT (1,780 TJ)[source] | Minuteman I: W59 (retired) Minuteman I and II: W56 (retired) Minuteman III: 2–3 × W62 (retired), 2–3 × W78 (retired), 1 × W78 (active), or 1 × W87 (active)[source] |
|---|
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket[source] | — |
|---|
| Flight altitude | Up to 1,200 km (750 mi)[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | Astro-inertial guidance with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System[source] | Inertial NS-50[source] Inertial NS-50[source] |
|---|
| Accuracy | 100 m CEP for silo launched and 150–300 m for TEL-launched.[source] | Minuteman I: 1.1 nmi (2.0 km) CEP initially, then 0.6 nmi (1.1 km) CEP Minuteman II: 0.26 nmi (0.48 km) CEP Minuteman III: 200 m (660 ft) CEP[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Silo, 8 axle TEL[source] | Missile silo[source] Missile silo[source] |
|---|
| No. built | — | 550[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | — | Air-burst or contact (surface)[source] |
|---|
| Propellant | — | Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant[source] |
|---|
| Flight ceiling | — | 1,120 km (3,670,000 ft; 700 mi)[source] |
|---|
Operational; Minuteman III
Single sourceMinuteman I: 5,500 nmi (6,300 mi; 10,200 km) Minuteman II: 6,300 nmi (7,200 mi; 11,700 km) Minuteman III: 7,600 nmi (8,700 mi; 14,000 km)[source]