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Hwasong-8
TypeBallistic missile (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and South Korea claim)[1][2]
Missile with hypersonic glide vehicle (North Korean claim)
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In serviceKorean People's Army Strategic Force
Specifications
Length18.5 m (61 ft)[3]
Diameter1.8 m (5.9 ft)[3]
Warhead'nuclear'[4]
EnginePaektusan single chamber
four vernier engines
440.0 kN (main, based on Hwasong-14)
78.4 kN (verniers, based on Hwasong-14)[5]
PropellantUDMH/N2O4 (based on Hwasong-14)
Operational
range
~3,200 km (2,000 mi)[4]–6,000 km (3,700 mi) (estimate based on Hwasong-12)[6]
Maximum speed Mach 6 (South Korean claim)[7]
Guidance
system
guided with vehicle[8]
References

The Hwasong-8 (Korean: 《화성-8》형; Hancha: 火星-8型; lit. Mars Type 8) is a North Korean missile claimed to be mounting a hypersonic glide vehicle, which was first tested on 14 September 2021. The first launch occurred in September, a month with a total of four missile launches. As it is supposedly a hypersonic missile, the higher speed would allow it to reach its target in shorter time and additional maneuverability would give it a better chance at defeating missile defenses.[9] Japanese tracking data from a test launch suggest it is a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.[10]

Design

Background

The plans to launch 'hypersonic' missile were already indicated in the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea as part of the Five-Year Plan for Defense Science Development,[11] where Kim Jong-un also listed other weapons, such as solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.[8][12] Although North Korea already has missiles like the KN-23 and KN-24,[8] gliding vehicles are likely more able to survive missile defenses,[6] and the experience from these short-range missiles would have helped the development of this missile.[8]

Missile

KCNA images of the Hwasong-8
image icon Launch of the Hwasong-8
image icon The missile, as displayed in Self-Defence 2021

As launched

The missile has been reported to be based on either a shortened Hwasong-14 first stage, or a Hwasong-12.[8][13] However, the distance between the verniers and the main chamber on the motor suggest that the base of the missile is the Hwasong-14, as it has a slightly longer gap between those. Compared to the original Hwasong-14, the fuel tanks of the main stage would have been shortened by around a quarter.[3]

The hypersonic vehicle is mounted on top of the missile, and has a shape typical to other such vehicles, such as the DF-ZF,[14] with fins for the aerodynamic control of the vehicle while in flight. However, as data for the trajectory of the missile was not released, it is impossible to determine the trajectory of the reentry vehicle, although the missile was unlikely to have flown over Japan in a flatter trajectory, while a lofted trajectory is unsuitable for testing such vehicles, as the glide vehicle would then reenter at a near-vertical angle.[8]

The missile is the sixth consecutive successful flight of the Paektusan (RD-250) rocket motor, which is also used by the Hwasong-12, -14 and -15 but also demonstrated other technologies, such as the ampoulisation of fuel, where fuel can be loaded into the missile months or years before a launch, reducing the time for preparing a launch of a liquid fuel missile.[15][8] However, the actual impact of ampoulisation may have been overstated, as it appears that rather than the Soviet method of fueling and sealing the submarine-launched ballistic missile at the factory; instead, what is likely used is just the use of storable liquid fuel, which has probably already been practised on the Hwasong-10 and onwards, or the addition of membranes to seal off the propellent tank until launch. The use of 'ampoules' also signifies the importance of liquid fueled missiles in North Korea, that it is unlikely to develop a fully solid-fuel missile force, furthered by the fact that North Korea has had more experience with developing liquid fuel missiles.[14]

According to the Joint Chief of Staff, the missile 'could be intercepted', if it flies at a speed of Mach 3.[15] However, if it can reach hypersonic speeds, it would be able to reach the southern regions of South Korea in around a minute, compared to five or six for a Scud missile, which could be too short a time to alert missile defences.[9]

As displayed at Self-Defence 2021

The missile displayed at the defence exhibition in October 2021 had some noticeable differences, compared to the version that was launched in September. In the exhibition, the warhead was most likely mounted on a Hwasong-12[3] and the missile was seen mounted on a MAZ-547, also used by the Hwasong-12, though that is a 'significantly' longer missile than was tested in September. It is unknown whether the main stage of the rocket used for the Hwasong-8 launch would be used for future launches, or be used for different payloads in the future.[14]

Impact

The launch of the missile also served a political purpose, in demonstrating the government's ability to continue bolstering its deterrence, showing the accomplishments while also potentially giving legitimacy and prestige at a time where there is much attention paid towards hypersonic missiles. It also likely served an international purpose, as the launch had indeed attracted a wide range of attention, such as 'joining a race headed by major military powers to deploy the advanced weapons system', as Reuters wrote,[16] or that it 'could change the military equation in East Asia', according to a CNN commentary.[17] However, the majority of ballistic missiles of North Korea already reenter at hypersonic speeds, but the still improve chances in survival of the warhead, although these reentry vehicles are significantly more expensive than a traditional reentry vehicle, and is unlikely to form more than a small part of its missile force. This has also appeared to be part of a growing arms race in Korea,[18] with this missile demonstrating its technological prowess over South Korea.[14]

List of Hwasong-8 test

There has been one known test so far:

Attempt Date Location Pre-launch announcement / detection Outcome Additional Notes
1 27 September 2021[13] Ryongrim County[13] None Success Pak Jong-chon oversaw the test, amongst other officials who also attended.[19]

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missile was "in the initial stage of development" and that it would take North Korea "a significant amount of time" to deploy the missile.[13]</ref>[20]

However, the data, such as the trajectory of the missile, and the claimed range and apogee were not officially released by South Korea, but were instead from anonymous sources quoted by Yonhap, and nor was there an official assessment of the flight of the missile.[8]

The South Korean 'anonymous' claim was a range less than 200 km and a height of 60 km,[14] while the Japanese Ministry of Defence said that it flew to 30 km.[21] The missile did not follow a ballistic trajectory.[22]

The two possibilities are that the reentry vehicle did not separate correctly, or that the reentry vehicle simply then flew under the coverage of South Korean radar.[14]

Hypersonic Missile Type 2

Background

North Korea first tested maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRVs) in 2017, with the KN-18, a Hwasong-5 fitted with a maneuverable reentry vehicle.[23] North Korea claimed successful launch test since it hit the target with only 77 m (23 ft) error. In this test, it was claimed that the missile reached a height of 169 km for a range of only 60 km, but what was actually tracked was likely the booster stage, rather than the reentry warhead, and it was the booster stage that was tracked tumbling, after separating from the warhead. This was likely due to not taking into consideration the separating warhead,[24] as the original Scud missiles do not have a separating warhead.[25]

As displayed at Self-Defence 2021

In October 2021, this missile was displayed in Self-Defence 2021 between Hwasong-12 and Pukguksong-5 At that time, Korean researchers assessed that this missile is anti-aircraft carrier missile with MaRV[26] 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 officially designated name in North Korea because North Korean double arrow brackets '《》' which used for missile name designation was shown on the name tag.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). 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.[27] 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 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.[28][29]

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.[30] 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.[31] 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.[32] 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.[33]

Just days after the first test, on 10 January 2022 the Hypersonic Missile Type 2 was launched into the Sea of Japan.[34] 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.[35] 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.[10]

List of Hypersonic Missile Type 2 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."[36]
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.[37] 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.[10] 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.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch".
  2. ^ Choi Soo-hyang (January 6, 2022). "(3rd LD) N. Korea says it test-fired hypersonic missile to bolster strategic capabilities". Yonhap News Agency. "South Korea and the U.S. detected the ballistic missile with our intelligence assets and are capable of responding to it," the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Col. Kim Jun-rak told a regular press briefing.
  3. ^ a b c d ""Hypersonic glider" missile Hwasong-18". www.b14643.de. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  4. ^ a b c d "Hwasong 8 Ballistic Missile with a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  5. ^ "North Korea's newest nuclear HS-14 ICBM". www.b14643.de. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  6. ^ a b "Military Watch Magazine". militarywatchmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  7. ^ Song Sang-ho (January 11, 2022). "(7th LD) N. Korea's improved ballistic missile traveled at Mach 10: JCS". Yonhap News Agency.
    Warning: this article describes another launch of a as of now unidentified missile but provide a mention of the speed of last week's missile.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Observations on the 28 September 2021 Hypersonic Missile Test of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea". oneearthfuture.org. Archived from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  9. ^ a b "[아침햇살146] 북한이 요즘 선보인 무기들과 관련해". 주권방송 (in Korean). 2021-10-05. Archived from the original on 2021-11-14. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  10. ^ a b c Gale, Alastair. "What Are Hypersonic Missiles and Who's Developing Them?". WSJ. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  11. ^ "로동신문". rodong.rep.kp. Archived from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  12. ^ Panda, Ankit. "What Biden Should Know About North Korea's New Nuclear Plans". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  13. ^ a b c d "North Korea tested new 'hypersonic missile': state media". NK News. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Six Takeaways From North Korea's "Hypersonic Missile" Announcement". 38 North. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  15. ^ a b "North's Hwasong-8 is a new hypersonic missile". Korea JoongAng Daily. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  16. ^ Cha, Sangmi (2021-09-29). "N.Korea joins race for new hypersonic missile with latest test". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  17. ^ Analysis by Brad Lendon (29 September 2021). "Analysis: North Korea says it tested a hypersonic missile. If true, it could change the military equation in east Asia". CNN. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  18. ^ Bluth, Christoph; Greene, Owen. "Missile tests: how North and South Korea became locked in a dangerous arms race". The Conversation. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  19. ^ "Academy of Defence Science test-fires a new type of hypersonic missile". The Pyongyang Times. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  20. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhhK2HUn5Vs
  21. ^ "North Korea launches 'short-range' missile toward East Sea, Seoul says". NK News. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  22. ^ "North Korea Launches Hypersonic Missile Into Sea: State Media". Missile Threat. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  23. ^ "Putting North Korea's New Short-Range Missiles Into Perspective". 38 North. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  24. ^ "North Korea's "Carrier-Killer" May Be No Such Thing". 38 North. 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  25. ^ "Section 2". nuke.fas.org. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ North Korea claims second successful test of hypersonic missile. NPR. 6 January 2022.
  29. ^ North Korea says it has tested hypersonic missile, launched from Russian-made vehicle. Defense News. 5 January 2022.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Lewis Twitter". www.twitter.com.
  32. ^ Analysis of the 11 January 2022 Hypersonic Missile Test of the DPRK Archived 24 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. One Earth Future. 14 January 2022.
  33. ^ Implications of the Second Launch of North Korea’s Second “Hypersonic” Missile. 38 North. 18 January 2022.
  34. ^ Neighbors say North Korea launched second missile in a week. Military Times. 10 January 2022.
  35. ^ North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile. Army Times. 11 January 2022.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ Kim, Tong-hyung (2022-01-12). "North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  38. ^ 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.
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