The DIA estimates the missile will have a range of about 4,650 miles and could reach 6,200 miles with a smaller warhead. At the extreme of 6,200 miles, the missile could target all major West Coast cities and reach as far east at Chicago. There is disagreement within the intelligence community as to just how long achievement of the missile's improved capabilities will require with the amount of Chinese technical assistance as a major unknown.
U.S. analysts consider the missile's accuracy so poor as to make it useful only for carrying warheads of mass destruction--chemical, nuclear or biological. The ranges of potential enemy weapons systems frequently become subjects of public discussion at budget time; in this instance, Congressional sources have stated that new information has become available.
[Source: Wash Times 29 Sept '95, p. A3]