On the 2nd, North Korea succeeded in a test launch of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile
Expert says, “The missile will target Guam or Alaska”
North Korea announced on the 3rd that it has successfully test-launched a new intermediate-range solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM). Kim Jong Un declared the missile system complete, stating that all missiles have been solid-fueled, warhead-controlled, and nuclear-weaponized.
On the 3rd, the North Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim guided the first test launch of the newly developed intermediate-range solid ballistic missile Hwasong-16B, equipped with a hypersonic glide flight warhead, the previous day.
The agency said, “The test launch was conducted in a way that confirmed the characteristics of the hypersonic glide flight warhead’s leap-type glide flight trajectory and lateral maneuverability by forcibly limiting the speed and altitude through a sudden orbit change flight method in the ignition delay and active section of the two-stage booster (engine), keeping the range within a limit of 621 miles considering safety.“
The agency claimed that the “hypersonic glide flight warhead separated from this missile followed the planned flight trajectory, hitting the first apex altitude of 62.8 miles, the second apex altitude of 44.9 miles, and precisely landed in the waters of the East Sea of Korea at a range of 621 miles.” This is interpreted to mean that the missile flew in a trajectory that rose, fell, and then rose slightly again, like a regular ballistic missile.
South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff also previously detected a single intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from the vicinity of Pyongyang into the East Sea, stating that this missile landed in the East Sea after flying about 372.8 miles.
Kim expressed satisfaction: “Another powerful strategic attack weapon that demonstrates the absolute superiority of our defense science and technology has been born.” He emphasized, “With this, we have brilliantly accomplished the three principles of the Party Central’s missile force construction, which are quickly, accurately, and powerfully, against any enemy targets within the global range by completely realizing the solid fueling, warhead control, and nuclear weaponization of all tactical, operational, and strategic missiles of various ranges.” Kim’s remarks are interpreted to mean North Korea has successfully converted even the hypersonic intermediate-range missile to solid fuel, building a short- to long-range missile portfolio based on solid fuel.
Professor Chang Young Keun of Korea Aerospace University analyzed, “By emphasizing that it has completely realized nuclear weaponization, North Korea has revealed a strong will to mount nuclear weapons on hypersonic missiles,” and “North Korea’s development of intermediate-range hypersonic missiles will target Guam, where the U.S. military base is located, and even further to Alaska.”
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