Hwasong-9
| Hwasong-9 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1990s[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,400 kg (14,100 lb)[1] or 9,200 kg (20,300 lb)[2] |
| Length | 12.8 m (42 ft)[2] or 13.5 m (44 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 0.88 m (2 ft 11 in)[1] |
| Warhead | 500 kg (1,100 lb) single warhead (conventional high-explosive, chemical, or biological) Possibly nuclear-capable[3] |
Operational range | About 1,000 km (620 mi)[3] |
| Accuracy | 3,000 m (9,800 ft) CEP[1] |
Launch platform | 4-axle TEL[3] |
The Hwasong-9[4][a] (Korean: 화성-9; lit. Mars 9; KN-04 under United States’s naming convention)[3] is a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile.
It is the enlarged version of the Hwasong-6 missile, with extended range.[1]
History
[edit]Reportedly, North Korea began developing Hwasong-9 in 1991 and could start production from 1994.[1]
Reports suggest Syria received these missiles in 2000, enabling them to target all of Israel and southeastern Turkey, including Ankara.[1] Syria also converted its own Hwasong-6 production line in order to make the Hwasong-9.[1][5]
According to the United Nations, since 2008, North Korea has assisted Syria in development of manoeuvrable vehicles for Hwasong-9.[6]
Characteristics
[edit]The Hwasong-9 is an advanced version of Hwasong-6 with a longer, lighter and wider body to storing more propellants. It also has a separable warhead that is separated after engine burnout for improving the trajectory stability and reducing radar signature.[3]
Compare with Hwasong-6, it can exchange payload for greater range; estimates range from 700–995 km (435–618 mi) to as much as 1,000 km (620 mi) through a reduced payload of 500 kg (1,100 lb) and enlarging the propellant tanks. It is a single-stage, road mobile missile that can employ a high-explosive, submunition, chemical, or potentially miniaturized nuclear warhead with a 3 km (1.9 mi) CEP. Its range allows the North Korean military to strike anywhere on the Korean peninsula and threaten areas of Japan.[1][5]
Tests
[edit]North Korea may test Hwasong-9 in 2006, 2009, and 2014, but due to the similarities between the variants, it is difficult to confirm the exact missile used for each launch.[1]
On 5 September 2016, North Korea launched a salvo of three Hwasong-9 missiles. These missiles flew for 9 minutes, achieved 1,000 km (620 mi) range and around 200 km (120 mi) apogee.[2] The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un.[7]
Another salvo of four Hwasong-9 missiles was launched at 7:34 a.m., 6 March 2017 (local time). These missiles launched simultaneously, achieved 260 km (160 mi) apogee and 1,000 km (620 mi) range. Three of four missiles landed just inside Japan’s air defense identification zone.[8][9] Kim Jong Un also supervised the launch.[10] It is possible that a fifth missile was launched in this salvo, but it appears to be failed shortly after launch.[9][11]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "Flashback to the Past: North Korea's "New" Extended-Range Scud" (PDF). 38 North. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Real Name! — NEAMS". Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER/Scud-D Variant)". Missile Defense Advocacy. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "UN report reveals extent of North Korean arms sales". Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Guides Fire Drill of Ballistic Rockets". Korean Central News Agency. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Much Ado About Nothing: DPRK's Latest Missile Test Reveals No New Capabilities". 38 North. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Supervises Ballistic Rockets Launching Drill of Hwasong Artillery Units of KPA Strategic Force". Korean Central News Agency. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Did North Korea test a fifth missile last week?". NK Pro. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2025.