Hwasong-12A

The Hwasong-12A (Korean: 《화성-12가》형; lit. 'Mars Type 12A') is presumed to be the official designation of a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled, hypersonic ballistic missile. Unofficially known in South Korea as Hypersonic Missile Type 2 (극초음속 미사일 2형), Hwasong-12A was revealed in October 2021, during a military exhibition. First test-fire of the missile occurred on 5 January 2022.

Description

The missile is believed to be a Hwasong-12-based medium-range or intermediate-range ballistic missile, with an estimated length of about 14.5 m (48 ft). However, after the missile's public debut, South Korean researchers initially assessed the missile to be an anti-aircraft missile with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) payload. Its assumed range is over 2,000 km (1,200 mi).

The shape of the reentry vehicle (RV) 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. The MaRV is mounted on a shortened Hwasong-12 booster. 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. 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. 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.

History

North Korea first tested MaRVs in 2017, with the KN-18 and KN-21[ko] (United States designations), the modified versions with a maneuverable reentry vehicle of Hwasong-6 and Hwasong-5 respectively. North Korea claimed successful launch test of KN-18 on 28 May 2017 since it hit the target with only 7 m (23 ft) error.

In October 2021, this missile was first displayed in "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition between Hwasong-12 and Pukguksong-5. 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 official designation, as North Korean double arrow brackets (《》) used for missile name designation was shown on the name tag.

On 5 January 2022, North Korea tested the missile. Since North Korean naming convention uses "hyŏng" (형; lit. 'type') instead of "ho" (호; lit. 'number'), South Korean researchers unofficially named this missile as Hypersonic Missile Type 2. This missile was also shown in Self-Defence-2021 besides Hwasong-12. 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. 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 (430 mi) 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.

Just days after the first test, on 11 January 2022, North Korea launched this missile for the second time. 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 (430 mi) 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. 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.

During a military parade on 25 April 2022, North Korea displayed six Hwasong-12A missiles. However, these missiles were not officially named.

The designation "Hwasong-12A" was first suggested by German expert Norbert Brügge. In an article published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in July 2024, this designation was suggested to be the official name for the missile; however, it remains unconfirmed.

List of tests

Confirmed tests

Unconfirmed tests

American astronomer and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell claimed that the Hwasong-12A was used for following tests on these dates (Pyongyang time):

• 27 February 2022
• 5 March 2022
• 5 May 2022
• 25 May 2022 (two tests)

According to Jonathan McDowell, four of five tests were reconnaissance satellite components tests.

Notes