Hwasong Ballistic Missile Series
Type: Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
Domain: land
Country of Origin: North Korea
Manufacturer: Korean Peoples Army Munitions Industry
First Deployed: 1985
Overview
The Hwasong series represents North Korea's strategic ballistic missile program spanning from short-range tactical missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles. Key variants include the Hwasong-6 (SCUD-C derivative, ~500 km), Hwasong-10/12 (intermediate range, 3,000-4,500 km), Hwasong-14/15 (ICBM, theoretically reaching continental US), and the solid-fueled Hwasong-18 (rapid launch ICBM). The program represents North Korea's primary deterrence and coercive capability, with demonstrated nuclear warhead miniaturization for smaller variants.
Technical Specifications
| warhead | Conventional or nuclear |
|---|---|
| guidance | Inertial with GPS (claimed on newer variants) |
| variants | Hwasong-5 through Hwasong-18+ |
| range_max | 13,000+ km (Hwasong-17/18 ICBM) |
| range_min | 300 km (Hwasong-5) |
| propellant | Liquid (most) / Solid (Hwasong-18) |
Operators
- North Korea
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