Hwasong-12A

Hwasong-12A (presumed)
An image of the first test
TypeHypersonic ballistic missile
Medium-range ballistic missile or intermediate-range ballistic missile[1]
Service history
In service2022-present
Used byKorean People's Army Strategic Force
Production history
Designed2021
Specifications
LengthAbout 14.5 m (48 ft)[2]
WarheadManeuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV)
EngineLiquid-propelled engine
Operational
range
Over 2,000 km (1,200 mi)[3]
Maximum speed Mach 10 (12,300 km/h)
Launch
platform
6-axle TEL

The Hwasong-12A (Korean: 화성-12가; lit. Mars Type 12A)[4][5] is presumed to be the official designation for a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled, hypersonic ballistic missile.

The missile is also known as Hypersonic Missile Type 2 (Korean: 극초음속 미사일 2형) under South Korean naming convention.[6]

Description

The missile is believed to be a Hwasong-12-based medium-range or intermediate-range ballistic missile.[1][7] However, after the missile's public debut, South Korean researchers initially assessed the missile to be an anti-aircraft missile with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) payload.[8] Its assumed range is over 2,000 km (1,200 mi).[3]

The shape of the reentry vehicle is totally different from Hwasong-8, this having a conical shaped RV. It suggests that North Korea is trying to develop two different types of hypersonic missiles.[9] The MaRV was mounted on a shortened Hwasong-12 booster.[4] From this point of view, American researcher Jeffrey Lewis assessed that conical shape of this missile's warhead seems to be a maneuvering reentry vehicle that has high maneuverability. Also he claimed that framing this missile into 'hypersonic' may mislead to focus speed of this missile.[10] Technically speaking, the missile can be classed as hypersonic, as it exceeds Mach 5 in speed, stays within the atmosphere during the entire flight, and is able to conduct at least one maneuver that deviates from the initial flight direction.[11] However, the shape and relatively modest turning maneuvers demonstrated are more consistent with an MaRV than a boost-glide vehicle (BGV) like the Hwasong-8's RV; although comparatively less maneuverable, an MaRV is a simpler design.[12]

History

North Korea first tested MaRVs in 2017, with the KN-18 and KN-21 (both are United States's designation), the modified version with a maneuverable reentry vehicle of Hwasong-6 and Hwasong-5, respectively.[13][14][a] North Korea claimed successful launch test of Hwasong-6's MaRV version (KN-18) on 28 May 2017 since it hit the target with only 7 m (23 ft) error.[13]

In October 2021, this missile was first displayed in "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition between Hwasong-12 and Pukguksong-5.[16] At the same event, photos of TEL and launching tests of this missile was also shown on the board with blurred name tag. This name tag suggests this missile already has official designation, as North Korean double arrow brackets (《》) used for missile name designation was shown on the name tag.[17]

On 5 January 2022, North Korea tested this missile, and South Korean researchers named this missile as Hypersonic Missile Type 2[6] since North Korean naming tradition uses "type" (형) rather than "number" (호). This missile was also shown in Self-Defence-2021 besides Hwasong-12. South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff publicized that actual distance of the missile trajectory was less than 700 km (430 mi), but the velocity was about Mach 6. After the official briefing one anonymous official asserted that this missile only has MaRV technology that the Hyunmoo-2C has, and the terminology 'Hypersonic' does not match this missile.[18] The Japanese Defense Ministry's initial assessment suggested that the missile flew 500 km (310 mi), while the day after the launch the KCNA reported that it made a 120 km (75 mi)-long lateral movement before hitting a target 700 km (430 mi) away. This could account for the range discrepancy if the glider separation happened at low altitude and so was not picked up by Japanese sensors.[19][20]

Just days after the first test, on 10 January 2022, North Korea launched this missile for the second time.[21] Kim Jong Un observed the test and KCNA reported it involved a hypersonic glide vehicle, which after its release from the rocket booster demonstrated "glide jump flight" and "corkscrew maneuvering" before landing 1,000 km (620 mi) away. South Korea's JCS claimed the missile flew 700 km at a maximum speed of around Mach 10; although they had claimed North Korea exaggerated the details of their previous test, with this one they stated it had demonstrated "more advanced capability" compared to the last test, though how was not explained. While observers believe North Korea is still years away from developing a credible hypersonic system, Kim's attendance and state media's description of the launch as a "final test-fire" could indicate that the weapon may be operational deployed relatively soon.[22] Japanese tracking data showed the missile turned sharply before landing in the sea, suggesting it was a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.[23]

North Korea displayed six Hwasong-12A missiles in a military parade on 25 April 2022.[1]

List of tests

Confirmed tests

Attempt Date Location Pre-launch announcement / detection Outcome Additional notes
1 5 January 2022 Chagang Province None Success Korean Central News Agency announced that the test was successful, "precisely hit a set target 700 km away" and the missile made a "120 km lateral movement." However officials in South Korea's defense ministry mentioned that the KCNA's announcement was "exaggerated."[24]
2 11 January 2022 Chagang Province None Success South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff had said the North Korean missile flew 700 km (430 mi) at a maximum speed of around Mach 10 before landing. But KCNA claimed the missile flew 1,000 km (620 mi) and hit the sea target.[25] Japanese tracking data showed the missile turned sharply before landing in the sea, suggesting it was a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.[23] Kim Jong Un and Kim Yo Jong came to watch the missile launch. It was Kim Jong Un's first visit of a missile test launch site in 661 days.[26]

Unconfirmed tests

American astronomer and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell claimed that the missile, called as Hwasong-12A by him, was used for following tests on these dates (Pyongyang time):[27]

  • 27 February 2022
  • 5 March 2022
  • 5 May 2022
  • 25 May 2022 (two tests)

According to Jonathan McDowell, four of five tests were carried out to test reconnaissance satellite components.[27]

Notes

  1. ^ Other sources gave "KN-18" designation to Hwasong-5's MaRV version, and "KN-21" to Hwasong-6's similar variant.[4][15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "S/2022/668" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  2. ^ "What we really know about the North Korean spacerockets and ballistic missiles". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  3. ^ a b "북, 극초음속 미사일·신형 ICBM·SLBM…신무기 총동원" [North Korea mobilizes new weapons including hypersonic missiles, new ICBMs, and SLBMs]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  4. ^ a b c "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
  5. ^ "Hwasong-12A missile". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  6. ^ a b See the image in following news: Kim, Yongrae (2022-01-06). "진화하는 北 극초음속미사일…속도 음속 5배이상·사거리도 늘어". KODEF researcher (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  7. ^ "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  8. ^ Yu, Yong Won (2022-01-06). "4개의 조종날개로 족집게 타격… 北, 美 항모 때리는 미사일 개발?" [Strike with 4 maneuvering fins -- Did North Korea develop missile targeting US aircraft carriers?]. KODEF researcher (in Korean). Chosun. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  9. ^ Kim, Minseok (2022-01-06). "[밀덕텔링] '비싸도 투 트랙' 북한은 왜 같은 미사일을 두 종류 만들까" ['Expensive But Two Tracks' Why North Korea try to develop two different type of same weapon?]. Hankook (in Korean). Biz Hankook. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  10. ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Lewis Twitter". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  11. ^ "Analysis of the 11 January 2022 Hypersonic Missile Test of the DPRK". Open Nuclear Network. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  12. ^ "Implications of the Second Launch of North Korea's Second "Hypersonic" Missile". 38 North. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  13. ^ a b "KN-18 (Scud MaRV)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  14. ^ "KN-21". Missile Defense Advocacy. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  15. ^ "Putting North Korea's New Short-Range Missiles Into Perspective". 38 North. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  16. ^ "Brief on the Defence Development Exhibition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  17. ^ The last image of the first row. "Defence Development Exhibition "Self-Defence-2021" Opens with Splendor". Explore DPRK. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-01-15. For amended image, see "Twitter". www.twitter.com.
  18. ^ Jung, Bitna (2022-01-07). "군 "북한이 쏜 건 일반적 탄도미사일"…'극초음속' 주장 반박(종합)". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  19. ^ North Korea claims second successful test of hypersonic missile. NPR. 6 January 2022.
  20. ^ "North Korea says it has tested hypersonic missile, launched from Russian-made vehicle". Defense News. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  21. ^ "Neighbors say North Korea launched second missile in a week". Military Times. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  22. ^ "North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile". Army Times. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  23. ^ a b Gale, Alastair. "What Are Hypersonic Missiles and Who's Developing Them?". WSJ. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  24. ^ Song, Sang-ho (2022-01-07). "(LEAD) S. Korea calls N.K. claim of hypersonic missile launch 'exaggerated'". Yonhap News Agency. Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  25. ^ Kim, Tong-hyung (2022-01-12). "North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  26. ^ Lee, Je-hun (2022-01-13). "[News analysis] Why Kim Jong-un attended missile test after nearly 2 years of absence". The Hankyoreh. The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  27. ^ a b Jonathan McDowell. "Tests of Hwasong-12 missile family". Planet4589.org. Retrieved 2025-01-04.