Minuteman III (ICBM) vs DF-41 (ICBM)
The US Minuteman III, with an approximate public range of about 13,000 km, against China's DF-41, estimated at about 15,000 km. At intercontinental scale the difference is small: each can reach the other's territory. Note that the DF-41 figure is a public US intelligence estimate not confirmed by Beijing.
Minuteman III (ICBM) · 13,000 km — DF-41 (ICBM) · 15,000 km
DF-41 (ICBM) reaches about 1.2 times farther than Minuteman III (ICBM)
Both lines start at the same point. Each interval multiplies distance: this is not a trajectory or geographic route.
Minuteman III (ICBM)
13,000 km · nominal maximum range
Approximate public figure for the U.S. land-based component.
DF-41 (ICBM) *
15,000 km · estimated maximum range
Public U.S. intelligence estimate, not confirmed by Beijing.
Full scale
Select a row to compare it as the red line.
* Estimate, variable figure or condition-dependent envelope. It does not indicate accuracy, effectiveness or effects.
Figures used and how reliable they are
- Minuteman III (ICBM): 13,000 km. Approximate public figure for the U.S. land-based component.
- DF-41 (ICBM)*: 15,000 km. Public U.S. intelligence estimate, not confirmed by Beijing.
* DF-41 (ICBM): estimated or disputed figure; it does not come from a verifiable official data sheet and should be read as indicative.
Related comparisons
Compare any other pair in the missile range comparison, with its full method. More context: Weapons · Modern warfare · All tools
Sources / References
- CSIS Missile Defense Project, Missile Threat database.
- IISS, The Military Balance (annual editions).
- U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fact sheets for Minuteman III, Trident II D5 and Tomahawk.
- U.S. Department of Defense, China Military Power Report.