KN-15

The Pukguksong-2 () is a North Korean medium-range or intermediate-range ballistic missile that had the first successful test flight on 12 February 2017.

Description

The Pukguksong-2 is an enlarged, two stage development of the Pukguksong-1, a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Based from images, the missile is judged to be long and wide. The missile is canister-launched from its enclosed transport container. It uses a ' cold-launching' system, which starts using compressed gas, followed by the engine igniting in mid-flight. The container is a smooth cylinder inside, without rails, and on launch a series of slipper blocks could be seen to fall away from the missile. These act as bearings while the missile is projected through the close-fitting tube, a system first seen with the US Peacekeeper. A series of grid fins are deployed at the base of the missile to provide aerodynamic stability during flight. The transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a new design, conceptually similar to the Russian 2P19 TEL of the R-17M Elbrus SS-1 Scud-B; fully tracked and claimed to be of indigenous North Korean manufacture, rather than previous Chinese wheeled launchers, derivatives of the ubiquitous MAZ-543 design.

Pukguksong-2 is equipped with an inertial navigation system (INS) and mid-course guidance, allowing the missile to follow a pre-programmed trajectory to the target. As the missile is described as 'nuclear-capable', it can deliver both nuclear and conventional warheads.

Analysts have described Pukguksong-2 as 'more stable, more efficient, and harder to detect' than North Korea's earlier designs. The missile is a solid-fuel rocket and may be launched in minutes. Previous designs are liquid fuelled are more vulnerable to counterattack as their launch preparations take hours.

On its first test flight it flew on a deliberately inefficient trajectory. Its operational range is typically estimated at between and is probably intended to replace medium-range missiles like the Hwasong-7 (Rodong-1) and Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER), potentially by the early 2020s depending on rate of manufacture. One unusual feature is the ability of the missile to take images of the ground from near its apogee and transmit them to a receiving station. Continuing to gather imaging data as it enters the atmosphere may be useful for precisely guiding a manoeuvring reentry vehicle, although the Pukguksong-2 has not yet been tested with one.

History

In October 2016, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles but failed. Initially, these launches were thought to be Hwasong-10, however, it is possible that the missiles used in the tests could be Pukguksong-2. Since North Korea did not issue a press release mentioning these test-fires, it is hard to identify the missile used in these launches.

The Pukguksong-2's maiden test flight occurred on 12 February 2017, The state-run KCNA news agency said that Kim Jong Un supervised the test, which was described as a success.

Pukguksong-2 was displayed during the April 2017 military parade. A month later, on 21 May 2017, another successful test of Pukguksong-2 occurred.

In 2019, the Pukguksong-2 was reported to be deployed in North Korea near the Chinese border at the same bases as the Hwasong-7.

North Korea displayed Pukguksong-2 at a military parade on 10 October 2020.

List of tests

See also

* Pukguksong-1
* Pukguksong-3
* Hwasong-12
* RT-15

Notes

References

External links

CSIS Missile Threat - Pukguksong-2

{{DPRK missiles, state=collapsed

Ballistic missiles of North Korea
Medium-range ballistic missiles of North Korea
Military equipment introduced in the 2010s