Hwasong-16b
| Hwasong-16b | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024 - present |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2015 (conceptual)
2020 (mock-up) 2024 (official) |
| Produced | 2024 - present |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 24-25 meters |
| Diameter | 2.4-2.5 meters |
| Propellant | Solid-propellant rocket |
| Maximum speed | 6000 km/h |
The Hwasong-16b (Korean: 《화성포-16b》형; Hanja: 火星砲 16b型; lit. Mars Artillery Type 16b) is a North Korean hypersonic Intermediate-range ballistic missile. First conceptually developed in 2015 as mock-ups in celebratory parades, on 20 October 2020, they were displayed as part of the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea parade under the name of the Hwasong-16, which then subsequently was spun off as the Hwasong-17.[1][2]
On 2 April 2024, it was reported by Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea) that a missile was fired eastward, travelling 600 km before landing in the Sea of Japan.[3][4]
Subsequently it was announced by Korean Central News Agency, as the Hwasong-16b, which unlike it's predecessor utilizes solid-fuel and a "newly developed hypersonic gliding warhead".[3][4][5]
Description
In early stages of developments, the Hwasong-16 was first presented in 2015, as modified derivative of the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, with a diameter of 2.4 to 2.5 meters, and a length of 24-25 meters, compared to the Hwasong-15's 2.0-2.1 meter diameter. When fully fueled, the Hwasong-15 has a mass of 50,000-60,000 kg, whereas the Hwasong-16 has a mass of 80,000-110,000 kg.[1]
Within its first launch, South Korea recorded a range of 600 km, whereas Japan's Ministry of Defense estimated a range of 650 km.[6]
As the Hwasong-16b and a two-stage rocket, the hypersonic warhead separated from the missile, reaching its first peak at 101.1 km, and subsequently at 72.3 km before landing. The boost-glide vehicle took a shallow atmospheric flight path, reaching as fast as Mach 5 in overall speed (6,000 km/h).[5][7]
History
The 2020 October 10th parade unveiled its existence to the public, noticeably longer and wider than the Hwasong-15 by a length of 4-5 meters, and 0.5 meters in width. It was unofficially dubbed the "Hwasong-16" as part of the Hwasong line of ICBMs, though subsequent analysis of footage indicated that it was officially called "Hwasong-17".[8]
On 19 March 2024, Kim Jong Un oversaw an initial solid-fuel engine test in preparation for the launch.[7]
As the 16B, it was launched on 2 April 2024, coinciding with a joint US/Japan/South Korea trilateral flight exercise, which involved F-16s from the 80th Fighter Squadron, Mitsubishi F-2s from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 8th Air Wing, and F-15Ks from ROKAF's 11th Wing, accompanied by two B-52Hs from the USAF.[5]
The debut launch of the 16B is the third ballistic missile launch by the North Korea for 2024, with two previous tests in January and March. It was presided by Kim on the outskirts of Pyongyang, accompanied by senior officials.[5][9]
KCNA declared the launch a success calling it the latest showcase of "absolute superiority" of the North's defense.[10]
It is believed that the launch in addition has been timed before the 2024 South Korean legislative election on 10 April.[10]
Test Launches
| Attempt | Date | Location | Pre-launch announcement | Outcome | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 April 2024 | Outskirts of | Detected at 6:53 AM (21:53 GMT) and announced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[3][6] | Success | First announced test of the Hwasong-16b, warhead separated from missile, reaching a peak of 101 km, then a secondary peak at 72.3 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. Maximum speed at Mach 5.[7]
Kim Jong-un supervised the launch, with senior officials attending.[7] |
Response
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace researcher Ankit Panda, described the transition to solid-fuel rockets as a heavily favored play by Kim, noting that "There are obvious strategic advantages to an all-solid-fuel force for them in the form of greater promptness, responsiveness, and survivability,"[10]
The launch was condemned by the United Kingdom as a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.[10]
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed a joint investigation ongoing with the U.S., and subsequently on 3 April 2024, it seized a ship off the coast of South Korea in violation of North Korean sanctions.[10]
References
- ^ a b Elleman, Michael (2020-10-21). "Does Size Matter? North Korea's Newest ICBM - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ Smith, Josh (2022-10-18). "North Korea's new Hwasong-17 'monster missile'". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "North Korea fires an intermediate-range missile into its eastern waters, South Korea says". AP News. 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ a b c "North Korea says it tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile that's easier to hide". AP News. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ a b c d Mahadzir, Dzirhan (2024-04-03). "North Korea Tests Hypersonic Weapon Following U.S. Navy Ballistic Missile Intercept Test". USNI. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Park, Ju-min (2024-04-02). "North Korea fires suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "Hwasong-16B Glide Vehicle". tippinsights. 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ Xu, Tianran (18 October 2021). "Brief on the Defense Development Exhibition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Open Nuclear Network: 7.
- ^ "Hwasong-16B Glide Vehicle". tippinsights. 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e "North Korea aims to adopt solid-fuel missiles for faster launches". The Japan Times. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-04-04.