North Korea announced on April 3 that it tested a new solid fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile named Hwasong 16B with a hypersonic gliding warhead, according to state media KCNA.
The country has shared test footage of the new missile, showing its transportation and launch via a Transport Erector Launcher (TEL).
According to KCNA, the missile covered a distance of 1000 km and reached an apogee of 101 km before dipping and flying at an altitude of 72 km.
However, South Korea claimed that the missile flew only 600 km, far below what North Korea has claimed. Japan also claimed that the missile flew around 650 km and reached an apogee of around 100 km.
Following the test, the North Korean leader reportedly stated that another mighty strategic attack weapon has been born, indicating that all our tactical, operational, and strategic level missiles of various ranges can become solid fuel, nuclear-armed, and equipped with manoeuvrable warheads.
North Korea commenced testing solid-fueled technology in 2017 with the flight test of the Pukguksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile.
Following the test, North Korea deployed several short-range ballistic missiles and conducted multiple flight tests of the country’s first solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong 18.
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Solid-fueled missiles require less maintenance compared to liquid-fueled missiles, and they can be quickly deployed and launched, which can serve as a deterrent against preemptive nuclear strikes by rivals.
Earlier this year, the country conducted a flight test of a solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic warhead, appearing to be a Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV).
Now, the flight test of another IRBM with HGV underscores the country’s significant advancements in both solid-fueled and hypersonic technology.
Hwasong 16B: The cutting-edge HGV
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGVs) is a type of gliding warhead launched into space through a rocket booster. Upon separation, the glide vehicle re-enters Earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic speeds and begins gliding towards the target within the atmosphere. They typically travel at altitudes ranging from 40 km to 80 km, providing less response time to missile defence systems. Additionally, they possess the ability to perform manoeuvres to evade interceptors.
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While IRBMs typically travel at altitudes above 300 km, KCNA reports indicate that Hwasong 16B’s gliding warheads fly at 72 km, posing a formidable challenge to missile defence systems.
Hwasong 16B: A big threat to Guam
Following the threats posed by Chinese DF26 IRBM, the United States is in the process of deploying a multi-layered ballistic missile defence systems involving MIM-104 Patriot, THAAD, and AEGIS Ashore.
Hwasong 16B’s intermediate-range capability also enables North Korea to target Guam while potentially evading all US missile defence systems.
US falling behind North Korea in hypersonic missile development
While the US recently conducted a flight test of the AGM-183A hypersonic missile without providing test results, the fate of the missile remains uncertain, as the US Air Force has already canceled the project due to repeated failures in past tests.
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Meanwhile, the status of another hypersonic project, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon or Dark Eagle, is also unclear, as multiple flight tests have been called off due to malfunctions.
Conclusion
North Korea’s flight test of the Hwasong 16B underscores its progress in solid fuel and hypersonic missile technology. With the capability to target US military bases, including Guam in the western Pacific region, concerns are mounting among the US and its allies.
