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Hub AI
Hwasong-11A AI simulator
(@Hwasong-11A_simulator)
Hub AI
Hwasong-11A AI simulator
(@Hwasong-11A_simulator)
Hwasong-11A
The Hwasong-11A (Korean: 《화성포-11가》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11A), also known as KN-23 under the United States’s naming convention, is a North Korean single-stage, solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile.
The Hwasong-11A bears an external resemblance to the Russian Iskander-M and South Korean Hyunmoo-2B short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), being distinguished by its elongated cable raceway, different jet vane actuators and smooth base. Like the Iskander-M, it flies in a quasi-ballistic trajectory, flattening out below an altitude of about 50 km (31 mi) where the atmosphere is dense enough so the missile's fins can change course along its flight path.
It is believed to have a range of about 240–900 km (150–560 mi), putting all of South Korea within range. It is possible that the missile can have a better range with a reduced payload. The missile's warhead section has enough space for up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of high explosives compared to 700 kg (1,500 lb) for Hwasong-5 (Scud-B) and 800 kg (1,800 lb) of 9K720 Iskander. With a 500 kg (1,100 lb) warhead, the missile has an estimated range of 450 km (280 mi). The warhead can be conventional, likely unitary or submunition, or nuclear. The Hwasong-11A is also capable of carrying the Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead. Its active steering capability could make it accurate to within 35–200 m (115–656 ft) CEP, depending whether the missile uses satellite guidance or INS alone.
The Hwasong-11A's launch platform is diverse. It can be launched from wheeled (four-axle) or tracked transporter erector launcher (TEL), as well as railway car and silo. The four-axle truck used in test-fires is different from the truck used to carrying Hwasong-11A during 8 February 2018 military parade.
It is significantly larger than the Iskander, with estimated length and diameter to be 7.5–8.7 m (25–29 ft) and 0.95–1.1 m (3 ft 1 in – 3 ft 7 in) respectively. The missile likely using the same 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) diameter motor as the Pukguksong-1. The motor is somewhat lengthened, having only one stage, compared to the Pukguksong-1. The motor has a very different structure, compared to the Iskander. Its TEL has more space for the missile, as it lacks the structure immediately after the cab.
The missile is likely to replace older liquid-fueled North Korean SRBMs, like the Hwasong-5 and Hwasong-6. Being road-mobile and solid-fueled, it can be moved and fired more rapidly, making it more difficult for an opposing force to locate and target before firing. Once launched, the missile's low apogee, short overall flight time, and ability to conduct a terminal "pull-up" maneuver makes it harder to detect and be intercepted by traditional missile defense systems. Its increased accuracy also reduces the number of missiles that would be needed to destroy a single target.
The Hwasong-11A is likely to feature some form of foreign involvement such as parts, as when compared to the later developed Hwasong-11B (KN-24), the Korean Central News Agency focuses mainly on the deployment of the missile, with little coverage on its research. While the Hwasong-11B are called "Juche projectiles", it is never mentioned for the Hwasong-11A. The focus on the combat-readiness of the system suggests that it had been deployed for a while but not tested, like the Hwasong-10. It still bears significant differences from the 9K720 Iskander.
North Korea first displayed the Hwasong-11A publicly in a military parade on 8 February 2018. The first flight test was on 4 May 2019. Five days later, North Korea test-fired another two missiles.
Hwasong-11A
The Hwasong-11A (Korean: 《화성포-11가》형; lit. Mars Artillery Type 11A), also known as KN-23 under the United States’s naming convention, is a North Korean single-stage, solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile.
The Hwasong-11A bears an external resemblance to the Russian Iskander-M and South Korean Hyunmoo-2B short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), being distinguished by its elongated cable raceway, different jet vane actuators and smooth base. Like the Iskander-M, it flies in a quasi-ballistic trajectory, flattening out below an altitude of about 50 km (31 mi) where the atmosphere is dense enough so the missile's fins can change course along its flight path.
It is believed to have a range of about 240–900 km (150–560 mi), putting all of South Korea within range. It is possible that the missile can have a better range with a reduced payload. The missile's warhead section has enough space for up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of high explosives compared to 700 kg (1,500 lb) for Hwasong-5 (Scud-B) and 800 kg (1,800 lb) of 9K720 Iskander. With a 500 kg (1,100 lb) warhead, the missile has an estimated range of 450 km (280 mi). The warhead can be conventional, likely unitary or submunition, or nuclear. The Hwasong-11A is also capable of carrying the Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead. Its active steering capability could make it accurate to within 35–200 m (115–656 ft) CEP, depending whether the missile uses satellite guidance or INS alone.
The Hwasong-11A's launch platform is diverse. It can be launched from wheeled (four-axle) or tracked transporter erector launcher (TEL), as well as railway car and silo. The four-axle truck used in test-fires is different from the truck used to carrying Hwasong-11A during 8 February 2018 military parade.
It is significantly larger than the Iskander, with estimated length and diameter to be 7.5–8.7 m (25–29 ft) and 0.95–1.1 m (3 ft 1 in – 3 ft 7 in) respectively. The missile likely using the same 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) diameter motor as the Pukguksong-1. The motor is somewhat lengthened, having only one stage, compared to the Pukguksong-1. The motor has a very different structure, compared to the Iskander. Its TEL has more space for the missile, as it lacks the structure immediately after the cab.
The missile is likely to replace older liquid-fueled North Korean SRBMs, like the Hwasong-5 and Hwasong-6. Being road-mobile and solid-fueled, it can be moved and fired more rapidly, making it more difficult for an opposing force to locate and target before firing. Once launched, the missile's low apogee, short overall flight time, and ability to conduct a terminal "pull-up" maneuver makes it harder to detect and be intercepted by traditional missile defense systems. Its increased accuracy also reduces the number of missiles that would be needed to destroy a single target.
The Hwasong-11A is likely to feature some form of foreign involvement such as parts, as when compared to the later developed Hwasong-11B (KN-24), the Korean Central News Agency focuses mainly on the deployment of the missile, with little coverage on its research. While the Hwasong-11B are called "Juche projectiles", it is never mentioned for the Hwasong-11A. The focus on the combat-readiness of the system suggests that it had been deployed for a while but not tested, like the Hwasong-10. It still bears significant differences from the 9K720 Iskander.
North Korea first displayed the Hwasong-11A publicly in a military parade on 8 February 2018. The first flight test was on 4 May 2019. Five days later, North Korea test-fired another two missiles.