The Hwasong-19 () is a
North Korean solid-fueled
intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range (aeronautics), range greater than , primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery (delivering one or more Thermonuclear weapon, thermonuclear warheads). Conven ...
(ICBM) that was first tested on 31 October 2024.
Description
Based on the images and information from the 31 October 2024 maiden flight, it was determined that Hwasong-19 is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile,
cold-launched on an 11-axle
transporter erector launcher
A transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a missile vehicle with an integrated tractor unit that can transport, elevate to a firing position and launch one or more rockets or missiles.
History
Such vehicles exist for both surface-to-air missiles ...
.
The Hwasong-19 appears to be larger than
its predecessor. It uses a 11-axle TEL that utilizing a unified hull-cover design. The canister cover is hinged at the bottom and fixed to the hull, while the cover open, it does not fall to the ground and remains connected to the TEL. This design may have been intended to save resources or to serve combat purposes, as well as to camouflage the mobile launcher as not launched to deceive the opponent. The missile's body is longer and wider than the
Hwasong-18
The Hwasong-18 () is a North Korean three-stage solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is the first solid-fuelled ICBM developed by North Korea, and was first unveiled at the 8 February 2023 parade commemorating the 75t ...
, therefore, Hwasong-19 has more solid propellant than its predecessor, causing its flight time and apogee to increase by 13 minutes and , respectively. Also, due to its increased diameter and heavier payload, Hwasong-19 can accommodate
MIRV
A multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) is an exoatmospheric ballistic missile payload containing several warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit a different target. The concept is almost invariably associated with i ...
s made in the 1960s. Its long range, which is estimated to be at least , allows it to reach targets anywhere in the
contiguous United States
The contiguous United States, also known as the U.S. mainland, officially referred to as the conterminous United States, consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the District of Columbia of the United States in central North America. The te ...
.
The Hwasong-19's length is estimated to be at least , longer than Hwasong-18 and
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
's mobile ICBMs. However, its large size could limit its deployment area and mobility, making it vulnerable to detection by US and South Korean intelligence before it can be fired and making it a priority target for enemy's preemptive strikes.
North Korea planned to use Hwasong-19 along with Hwasong-18 as its "''primary core means in defending''".
It is possible that Hwasong-19 is intended to replace the liquid-fueled
Hwasong-17
The Hwasong-17 () is a North Korean two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, first unveiled on 10 October 2020, at the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea parade. The Japanese Ministry of Defence estimates its ope ...
.
North Korea has claimed the missile to be "perfected" and the world's strongest missile.
History
During a
Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un (born 8 January 1983 or 1984) is a North Korean politician and dictator who has served as supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012. He is the third son of Kim ...
's visit in September 2024, North Korea revealed a 12-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL). This suggests the development of a new ICBM larger than previous missiles.
Hwasong-19 made its public debut on 31 October 2024, with a flight test.
North Korea officially confirmed the launch on the same day of the launch. Initially, North Korea did not reveal the missile's official name; it was revealed a day after the test-fire.
North Korea displayed Hwasong-19 at the "Defence Development-2024" military exhibition, held in late-November 2024.
List of tests
See also
*
LGM-30 Minuteman
The LGM-30 Minuteman is an American land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in service with the Air Force Global Strike Command. , the LGM-30G (Version 3) is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States and represents th ...
*
RT-2PM2 Topol-M
The RT-2PM2 «Topol-M» (, NATO reporting name: SS-27 "Sickle B", other designations: SS-27 Mod 1, RS-12M1, RS-12M2, formerly incorrectly RT-2UTTKh) is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia, and the f ...
*
DF-41
The Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 ( zh, t=東風-41, s=东风-41, l=East Wind-41; NATO reporting name: CH-SS-20; previously reported as CSS-10) is a fourth-generation Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile operated by the P ...
*
RS-24 Yars
The RS-24 Yars (РС-24 Ярс – ракета стратегическая (strategic missile)-modification 24) also known as Topol-MR, NATO reporting name SS-29 or SS-27 Mod 2), is a Russian MIRV-equipped, thermonuclear armed intercontinen ...
Notes
References
{{DPRK missiles
Intercontinental ballistic missiles of North Korea
Military equipment introduced in the 2020s