Hwasong-14
| Hwasong-14 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Ballistic missile, mobile ICBM |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | Successful test on 4 July 2017 |
| Used by | North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 19.5m |
| Diameter | 1.70m |
| Warhead weight | 500-1200kg |
|
|
|
| Engine | RD-250 453kN |
| Propellant | Liquid rocket propellant |
|
Operational
range |
theoretical 6,700–10,000 km (4,200–6,200 mi) |
| Flight altitude | ~3720 km |
| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 화성 14 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Hwasong-14 |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hwasong-14 |
The Hwasong-14 (Chosŏn'gŭl: 화성 14; hancha: 火星 14) also known under alternative US designation KN-20 is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile developed by North Korea. It had its maiden flight on 4 July 2017 which coincided with the United States' Independence Day. North Korea is the only known operator of this missile.
The Hwasong-14 is likely a two-staged version of the Hwasong-12 first tested in May 2017. The second stage appears to have increased its range. The first stage engine appears very similar to the Hwasong-12. With a single liquid fuel engine, it has four Vernier thrusters for stability and guidance. Less is known about the Hwasong-14's second stage.
The first publicly announced flight test was on the 4th July 2017, to coincide with the US Independence Day celebrations. This flight had a claimed range of 933 kilometres (580 mi) eastwards into the Sea of Japan and reached an altitude of 2,802 kilometres (9,193,000 ft) during a 39 minute flight.
This range was deliberately shortened, to avoid encroaching on other nations' territory, by 'lofting' the missile: firing it on a trajectory that was inefficiently high, rather than optimised for range. This allows the missile's performance to be tested and demonstrated, without requiring a huge test range.
A prediction for the possible range, following an optimum trajectory, has been given at 6,700 kilometres (4,200 mi) or as much as 10,400 kilometres (6,500 mi) not taking into account the Earth’s rotation. If true, then this brings the U.S. states of Alaska and Hawaii within the missile's range.
Preparations for a second test flight were detected by US intelligence as early as 20 July. On 28 July, the missile was fired at 11:41 p.m local time (10.41pm Eastern Daylight Time), the first time which a night time launch was carried out. The missile was fired at a lofted trajectory with apogee of 3,724.9 km (2,314.5 mi), landing 998 km (620 mi) away with a total flight time of 47 minutes, 12 seconds. Based on the data from the test flight, if the missile were fired at the optimal efficient trajectory, it is predicted that the maximum effective range would exceed 10,000km, bringing major continental U.S cities in the West coast and Mid West within range.
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Wikipedia