North Korea missiles

[Steven Pietrobon]

KCNA press release. The missile is called Hwasongpho-16-Na. The test was on 2 April, with a maximum altitude of 101.3 km, second peak of 72.3 km and range of 1000 km.

http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/afce7f7dbed19a4ea073506c749987c3.kcmsf

DPRK Missile Administration Succeeds in Test-fire of New-type Intermediate-range Hypersonic Missile

Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- A test-fire of new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile of another military strategic value was successfully conducted in the great heyday of development of the Juche-oriented defence industry that witnesses powerful absolute weaponry of Korean style being developed in succession thanks to the devoted efforts of defence scientists upholding with their steadfast faith and correct practice the plan and decision of the Workers’ Party of Korea to bolster up the national defence capability in every way at the highest level.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), guided the first test-fire of Hwasongpho-16-Na, a new-type intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile loaded with newly-developed hypersonic glide vehicle, on the spot on April 2.

Accompanying him was Kim Jong Sik, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was greeted on the spot by General Jang Chang Ha, general director of the Missile Administration, and leading officials in the field of defence science.

The test-fire was aimed at confirming the designed technical specifications of the new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile as a whole and verifying the reliability of this weapon system.

It was conducted in the way of verifying the characteristics of pull-up flight orbit and cross-range maneuvering capability of the hypersonic glide vehicle while confining its range to 1 000 kilometers, in consideration of safety, and forcibly controlling the speed and altitude by means of delaying the start-up of the second-stage engine and rapidly changing the flight orbit in the active region.

The defence scientists were filled with the boundless pride of being scientists of the great military power, great confidence and militant enthusiasm as they were to conduct the test-fire of another powerful ultra-modern weapon capable of defending our state’s right to self-defence in the presence of Kim Jong Un again, who has personally blazed the ceaseless untrodden path to developing and perfecting ultra-modern weapons with his unshakable will and inexhaustible energy, out of the noble sense of responsibility for the destiny of the country and people, and devoted himself to their steady and rapid development.

Kim Jong Un went to the launching position and looked round the new-type intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile Hwasongpho-16-Na loaded with a hypersonic glide vehicle to learn in detail about the weapon system.

Then he mounted the command observation post and received a report on the plan for test-fire of the missile and issued an order to launch it.

General Jang Chang Ha guided the test-fire.

When a command was given, the high-tech missile was launched, fully demonstrating the military muscle of the Republic.

The hypersonic glide vehicle, separated from the missile after its launch northeastward at an army unit's training field in a suburb of Pyongyang, reached its first peak at the height of 101.1 kilometers and the second peak at the height of 72.3 kilometers while making 1 000-km-long flight as scheduled and accurately landed on the waters of the East Sea of Korea.

The test-fire had no negative effect on the security of the neighboring countries.

The characteristics of the prompt and excellent maneuverability of the newly-developed hypersonic glide vehicle was clearly proved through the test-fire and the important military strategic value of the new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile received a significant appreciation through verification under the extremely worst test conditions.

Expressing great satisfaction over the result of the test-fire,

Kim Jong Un highly appreciated the feats of the officials, scientists and technicians in the field of defence science who carried out the order given by the Party most excellently, truthfully and perfectly by turning out with their do-or-die determination in the drive for developing the Juche-based weaponry to implement the strategic plan of the Party Central Committee and fully displaying their intense loyalty and patriotism.

He said with pride that another powerful strategic offensive weapon was developed to demonstrate the absolute advantage of our defence science and technology and thus we came to successfully implement the Party Central Committee’s three principles of building missile armed force for rapidly, accurately and powerfully striking any enemy target on the globe by perfecting the project for putting all the tactical, operational and strategic missiles with various ranges on a solid-fueled, warhead-controlled and nuclear warhead-carrying basis.

Noting that the current epoch-making success serves as a special event in which a great change will be brought about in enhancing the nuclear war deterrent of the armed forces of our Republic, he stressed that it is a precious fruition born of our arduous defence science research spanning nearly ten years, a demonstration of the validity of the WPK’s line of building the military capability for self-defence and a worthwhile victory won by our strength, wisdom and efforts.

Gravely referring to the military confrontational acts against the DPRK by the enemies who have recently run higher fever in boosting their military alliance and staging all sorts of war drills, thus threatening the security of our state day after day, he said that it is the most urgent task at present for our state to develop an overwhelming power capable of containing and controlling the enemies and that our defence science sector should continuously bring bigger successes, remaining more faithful to its historic duty to steadily improve the strongest national defence capacity.

He affirmed that the WPK will reliably defend the peace, prosperity and future of the country by steadily, rapidly and more thoroughly bolstering up the military capability for self-defence.

He set forth the strategic tasks for making a continued leap forward and innovations in the development of ultra-modern weapons by more signally strengthening the self-supporting and modern character of the Juche-oriented military industry.

Inspired by his deep trust and militant encouragement, all the defence scientists hardened the firm determination to devote themselves with redoubled courage to the sacred struggle for further boosting the arsenal of the Juche revolution, true to the leadership of the Party Central Committee, and thus bolster up the matchless national defence capability with serial successes in developing ultra-modern strategic and tactical weapon systems. -0-

[limen4]

I have tried to reconstruct the flight path of the HGV based on the screen content which is seen in the background. The ground projection of the path and the height over ground (not to scale) is visible in red. Also the area around the low intermediate point after first entry and around the landing point are marked in blue. Based on this reconstruction the flight distance was more then 1200km.
Two things are remarkable:
1. The flight path leads partially about Russian mainland. The intermediate point after which the second gliding wave begins is near Nachodka. I am very sure that North Korea would not choice such a flight path without permission of the Russian government.
2. The Chinese LPAR in Huanan near Jiamusi is in perfect position to monitor the whole flight and to give support to the North Korean missile forces in controlling the flight.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Hwasong-16Na carrying three RVs and a decoy on 25 June UTC.

http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/a928cbd42dc706a7eb86dad84dde10d4.kcmsf

DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test of New Important Technology

Pyongyang, June 27 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Missile Administration successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads on June 26, which is of great significance in attaining the goal of rapidly developing the missile technologies.

The test was overseen by Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and Kim Jong Sik, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee.

The test was carried out by use of the first-stage engine of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile within a 170~200 km radius, which is favourable for ensuring maximum safety and measuring the flight characteristics of individual mobile warheads.

The separated mobile warheads were guided correctly to the three coordinate targets.

The effectiveness of a decoy separated from the missile was also verified by anti-air radar.

The test is aimed at securing the MIRV capability.

The test is part of the normal activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes for the rapid technical development of weapon systems.

According to the administration, it is of great significance in bolstering up the DPRK's missile forces and developing the missile technologies that such technological test has entered a full-scale stage.

The senior officials, who watched the test, said that to enhance the MIRV capability is a very important defence technological task and a top priority of the WPK Central Committee, stressing the need to take proper scientific and technological steps to further improve the effectiveness of decoys. -0-

[Steven Pietrobon]

Test of Hwasong-11Da-4.5 on 30 June UTC carrying a 4.5 t warhead! No photos unfortunately. The article seems to imply two launches, one at the short range of 90 km and long range of 500 km (probably of a standard Hwasong-11Na). The end of the article implies that there might be another test at 250 km range this month.

http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/841c0d7c2c6cf2f2c8928f7bfb021616.kcmsf

Pyongyang, July 2 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Missile Administration successfully conducted a test-fire of new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 on July 1.

The new-type missile is a tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying 4.5 ton-class super-large warhead.

The test-fire was conducted with a missile tipped with a simulated heavy warhead to verify flight stability and hit accuracy at the maximum range of 500 km and the minimum range of 90 km.

The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea reported to the plenary meeting of the WPK Central Committee on the result of the Missile Administration's test which is of great significance.

The test of the new-type weapon system is part of the regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes.

The Missile Administration said that it will test-fire new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 to verify flight characteristics, hit accuracy and explosion power of super-large warhead at the medium range of 250km in July. -0-

[chinois02]

The new north korean missile: The TEL is 11 axles, my estimated dimensions if the second stage is the first stage of the Hwasong-18.
Diameter of the first stage 2.2m, length at least 22m
It flew 1000km for an altitude reached of 7687 km.
Mass at least 60 tons

[chinois02]

Curious detail: a satellite must have been destabilized by the craft. If they passed so close, they can pepper it with shotgun pellets

[TheKutKu]

Curious detail: a satellite must have been destabilized by the craft. If they passed so close, they can pepper it with shotgun pellets

That's S1-S2 separation (the other is S2-S3), probably below karman line or not much above., this looks like the 1st stage tumbling away with some cover falling off?

[StraumliBlight]

That's S1-S2 separation (the other is S2-S3), probably below karman line or not much above., this looks like the 1st stage tumbling away with some cover falling off?

The image number corresponds to the staging event, Stage 3 is shown below.

https://twitter.com/stoa1984/status/1852258896485728679

[TheKutKu]

That's S1-S2 separation (the other is S2-S3), probably below karman line or not much above., this looks like the 1st stage tumbling away with some cover falling off?

The image number corresponds to the staging event, Stage 3 is shown below.

https://twitter.com/stoa1984/status/1852258896485728679

So it's a 4 stage ICBM (unlike H-18's 3) ? Or are they counting a Post boost vehicle as the 4th stage?

[Steven Pietrobon]

http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/b3d35ab730b11b9daba5949a3c27e051.kcmsf

ICBM Test-fire Conducted in DPRK

Pyongyang, October 31 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said in a statement that an ICBM test-fire was conducted on Thursday morning.

The Missile Administration of the DPRK conducted a very crucial test on Thursday. The test-fire, conducted under the order given by the head of state of the DPRK, updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world's most powerful strategic deterrent.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said on the spot:

"The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently, of our counteraction will, and it also constitutes an indispensable process in the course of constantly developing our state's strategic attack forces. As recently witnessed by us, the rivals' dangerous tightening of their nuclear alliance and various adventuristic military maneuvers go to further highlight the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces. We should never allow any threat to approach the security sphere under our state's influence. The security situation of our state and ever-aggravating prospective threats and challenges require us to continue to bolster up our modern strategic attack forces and more perfectly round off our nuclear forces' response posture. I affirm that the DPRK will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces." -0-

[Steven Pietrobon]

Hwasong-19 reached an altitude of 7,687.5 km and range of 1,001.2 km. Flight duration was 5 156 seconds (1 hour, 25 minutes and 56 seconds). Mention is also made of Hwasong-18.

http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/45eb4d20df98d0d8a16cf978c37af8d8.kcmsf

Crucial Test Demonstrating DPRK's Definite Reaction Will and Absolute Superiority of Its Strategic Strike Capability
Test-fire of DPRK's Latest-type ICBM Hwasongpho-19 Successfully Conducted under Guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un

Pyongyang, November 1 (KCNA) -- The cause of the DPRK reliably defending the regional and global peace and security as a responsible nuclear weapons state and achieving the comprehensive rejuvenation of the country and promoting the well-being of its people is accompanied with vicious challenges of the most hostile and threatening rival states and an ever-growing war crisis.

The most hostile enemies of the DPRK have evolved into a nuclear alliance and the U.S. imperialists and the ROK puppets have recently intensified the frantic arms buildup and provocative attempts at the most serious level in history while often letting loose reckless threatening remarks against the DPRK government. All these are posing a grave danger to the DPRK's sovereignty and security environment and provoking the surging anger and retaliatory will of its army and people.

The present grave reality, seriously reminding people of the instructive law of history that the disrupted balance of forces between friend and foe just leads to a war, more clearly emphasizes the necessity of the absolute power capable of deterring the enemy and controlling the situation at all times and the validity of its steady increase. It also calls for continuously developing and updating the strategic weapons as a deterrent capable of actively coping with any military threat and foiling the enemy's provocative attempt and will for war in advance.

At a time when the strategic option for reliably defending national security and regional peace from the adventurous military manoeuvres of the U.S. and its vassal forces for aggression and the urgency of its powerful implementation are being further highlighted, another new entity has emerged to demonstrate the absolute edge of the DPRK nuclear combat forces rapidly developing with each passing day.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued an order to the Missile Administration to conduct a test-fire of the latest-type ICBM Hwasongpho-19 and oversaw on the spot the crucial test, which would set an epochal milestone in perpetuating the absolute superiority of the strategic armed forces of the DPRK, on the morning of October 31.

The tremendously powerful absolute weapon, a product of the DPRK's might and spirit which have been steadily augmented for the great dignity and honour of the country and people, for the duty of defending peace and the right to existence that should never be conceded, and for a new world of justice where war, hegemony and injustice are not allowed, advanced to the launching position at dawn, showing signs of new strength the world has never experienced.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, assuming the noblest and heavy mission of firmly safeguarding the sovereignty of the DPRK and its absolute security and rights to development, went to the launch site to learn about the preparations and plan for the test-fire and went to the central command and observation post.

The launch site, prior to the historic moment when the DPRK's new updated ultra-powerful offensive means, an ICBM of ultimate version, would reveal its appearance, was seething with the will of all the defence scientists and strategic missile soldiers to strike terror into the most ferocious enemies keen on nuclear confrontation with the DPRK by demonstrating its war deterrent which has reached the highest level in the world.

The moment has come to display the awesome force of the world's most powerful strategic missile.

When Kim Jong Un approved the test-fire, General Jang Chang Ha, director general of the Missile Administration, gave an order to the Honoured 2nd Red Flag Company.

The moment, the entity with absolute power lifted off revealing its imposing figure, loaded with the DPRK people's bitter enmity and strong will to punish all evils and injustice on earth and annihilate the enemy.

The missile travelled up to the maximum altitude of 7 687.5km and flew a distance of 1 001.2km for 5 156 seconds before landing on the preset target area in the open waters of the East Sea of Korea.

The test-fire had no negative effect on the security of neighbouring countries.

The test of the ultramodern strategic weapon system updated the latest records of strategic missile capabilities and showed off the modernity and creditability of the world's most powerful strategic deterrent of the DPRK.

On the spot, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction, saying that the successful test-fire of the new-type ICBM has come to prove before the world that the dominant position the DPRK has secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means of the same kind is absolutely irreversible.

The perfected weapon system of ICBM Hwasongpho-19, to be used by the strategic forces of the DPRK along with Hwasongpho-18, pursuant to the long-term plan for building the state nuclear forces set forth by the Party Congress, will perform the mission and duty as the primary core means in defending the DPRK, thoroughly deterring the enemies' acts of aggression and reliably protecting national security.

Kim Jong Un said that the test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of declaring the DPRK’s counteraction will to the rivals who have recently escalated the regional situation deliberately and posed a threat to its security, and also constitutes an indispensable process in the course of constantly developing its strategic strike forces.

He went on to say:

As we have witnessed these days, the rivals' dangerous moves to strengthen their nuclear alliance and various adventurist military activities further highlight the importance of the buildup of our nuclear forces. We should never allow any threat to approach the sphere of influence of our national security.

The security situation of our state and the ever-growing prospective threats and challenges require us to continue to bolster up our modern strategic strike forces and more perfectly round off our nuclear response posture.

He clearly reaffirmed that the DPRK would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces under any circumstances.

On behalf of the Party, the government and all the Korean people, he gave the highest thanks to the defence scientists and the munitions workers for their distinguished contribution to fully demonstrating the DPRK's matchless strategic nuclear strike capability to the whole world.

He once again stressed that only the peace that can be defended by the strength great enough to control and deter the enemy is the reliable, secure and durable peace and herein lies a sure guarantee for the peace and future of the DPRK and its people. And he clarified important tasks to be constantly tackled by the defence science field in implementing the line of bolstering up the state nuclear forces.

Expressing expectation and belief that the defence science and technology group, always faithful and absolute in fulfilling the demand of the revolution, would achieve better defence development successes and thus always remain faithful to the sacred obligation and duty, he had a photo session with the masters of this great event at the historic site where the absolute prestige of the state was lifted once again.

All the defence scientists and strategic missile soldiers vowed to devote themselves with redoubled courage to the sacred struggle for building up the arsenal of the Juche revolution into an invincible one and strengthening the state's nuclear response posture. -0-

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here are the rest of the images.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Inspects Strategic Missile Bases

Pyongyang, October 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, inspected strategic missile bases.

He was accompanied by Kim Jong Sik, first deputy department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, and Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the WPK.

He examined the readiness for action of the strategic deterrent directly related with the security of the country, including the functions and capabilities of the elements of launch-related facilities in the missile bases and the combat duty of strategic missiles.

He appreciated the services of the missile soldiers in the strategic missile bases for fulfilling the sacred duty they have assumed before the country and the people, keeping themselves always on alert on combat duty as required by the prevailing situation.

Noting that the strategic missile force is the core force playing a pivotal role in the country’s war deterrent, he stressed that it is an important principle of the defence building strategy consistently maintained by the WPK to technically modernize the overall armed forces by giving priority to the strategic missile force in the future, too.

As I have stressed on several occasions recently, the U.S. strategic nuclear means pose an ever-increasing threat to the security environment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the prospective threats urgently demand that the DPRK bolster up its war deterrent definitely and take a thoroughgoing and strict counteraction posture of its nuclear forces, he said.

He stressed the need to further modernize and fortify the strategic missile bases and ensure that all of them make every effort to maintain a thoroughgoing counteraction posture so as to promptly deal a strategic counterblow to the enemy at any time and in different circumstances. -0-

[JetProp]

Here are the rest of the images.

Great, unrivaled weld quality.

[JetProp]

Third step. The color scheme reflects the structural division.

[JetProp]

It's a bad idea, but still. What if we see second stage gargottes moving away from the third stage?
Those “wings” are just second-stage gargottes.

[JetProp]

It's a bad idea, but still. What if we see second stage gargottes moving away from the third stage?
Those “wings” are just second-stage gargottes.

But in this picture, I don't see any gargrottes on the second stage.

Well, I surrender.

[SpaceLizard]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a gargotte/gargrotte? I tried looking it up but the closest thing I could find was:
French
Noun
gargote f (plural gargotes)

(derogatory) cheap restaurant, greasy spoon

And that doesn't seem relevant at all...

[JetProp]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a gargotte/gargrotte? I tried looking it up but the closest thing I could find was:
French
Noun
gargote f (plural gargotes)

(derogatory) cheap restaurant, greasy spoon

And that doesn't seem relevant at all...

Sorry, it's a Russian word. It means a “box” that hides cables or pipes.
P. S. garhrot = russian rocket term, mean fairing for pipelines or cables
P. S. my english is very bed

[Jrcraft]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a gargotte/gargrotte? I tried looking it up but the closest thing I could find was:
French
Noun
gargote f (plural gargotes)

(derogatory) cheap restaurant, greasy spoon

And that doesn't seem relevant at all...

Sorry, it's a Russian word. It means a “box” that hides cables or pipes.
P. S. garhrot = russian rocket term, mean fairing for pipelines or cables
P. S. my english is very bed

"Raceway" is the English term used, at least from what I can tell.