Hwasong-19
| Hwasong-19 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  North Korea |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | nuclear warhead MIRVs |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | 18,000km |
Launch platform | 11-axle TEL |
The Hwasong-19[a] (Korean: 《화성포-19》형; Hancha: 火星砲 19型; lit. Mars Artillery Type 19) is a North Korean solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
In its maiden flight on 31 October 2024, the Hwasong-19 flew 1,001.2 km (622.12 miles) for 85 minutes and 56 seconds before landing in the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, with a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km (4,776.8 miles).[2][3][4][5][6] The missile has a heavier payload compared to the Hwasong-18 to accommodate multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) to penetrate ballistic missile defenses (BMDs) and reach targets in the contiguous United States.[7]
Design and development
[edit]On 30 October 2024, South Korean military intelligence detected first sign of set-up for the ICBM, from the placement of missile and setup of the mobile launcher. Subsequently the Japanese Ministry of Defense detected the launch at 07:11 (local time) on 31 October, located at the northeast suburbs of Pyongyang. It was determined that the ICBM flew for 86 minutes, at a distance of 1,000 km, and an altitude of 7,000 km (the highest altitude for North Korean missiles as of 2024), subsequently landing 200 km west of Okushiri Island, Hokkaido, Japan.[7][8] On the same day of the launch, North Korean official news outfit KCNA officially confirmed the launch without disclosing the missile's name.[9]
On 1 November, the KCNA announced the successful launch and also revealed the missile's name as Hwasongpho-19 (Hwasong-19). Official information said that the missile had flown for 85 minutes and 56 seconds with 1,001.2 km distance and 7,687.5 km altitude. Based on images and information released by North Korea, it is a three-stage solid-fueled missile, cold launched on an 11-axle transporter erector launcher.[1][7]
Analysis of the missile by 38 North indicates that Hwasong-19 has a longer body and larger diameter than the Hwasong-18, so Hwasong-19 have more solid propellant than its predecessor, therefore, its flight time and flight altitude increased 13 minutes and 1,100 km, respectively.[7][10]
Its payload remains unknown, whether it is operational or a dummy, but the increased diameter of the missile could accommodate re-entry vehicles made in the 1960s.[7]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Crucial Test Demonstrating DPRK's Definite Reaction Will and Absolute Superiority of Its Strategic Strike Capability; Test-fire of DPRK's Latest-type ICBM Hwasongpho-19 Successfully Conducted under Guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un". Korean Central News Agency. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Yim, Hyunsu (November 1, 2024). "North Korea says record test was new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile". Reuters.
- ^ Kim, Hyung-Jin; Kim, Tong-Hyung. "North Korea boasts of 'the world's strongest' missile, but experts say it's too big to use in war". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ "Hwasong-19 ICBM". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Sang-Hun, Choe (30 October 2024). "North Korea, in the Spotlight Over Ukraine, Launches a Long-Range Missile". The New York Times.
- ^ "North Korea launches barrage of short-range ballistic missiles towards sea". Al Jazeerah. 4 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Diepen, Vann H. Van (2024-11-05). "North Korea Tests New Solid ICBM Probably Intended for MIRVs - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "【お知らせ】北朝鮮のミサイル等関連情報". www.mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "ICBM Test-fire Conducted in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ Diepen, Vann H. Van (2023-12-21). "Third Successful Launch of North Korea's Hwasong-18 Solid ICBM Probably Marks Operational Deployment". 38 North. Retrieved 2024-12-02.