Jump to content

Hwasong-10

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from BM25 Musudan)

'Musudan' redirects here. For its namesake headland, see Musu Dan.
Hwasong-10
TypeIntermediate-range ballistic missile
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In serviceSuccessful test on 22 June 2016[1]
Used byKorean People's Army Strategic Force
Iran (possible)
Production history
ManufacturerNorth Korea
Specifications
Length12 m (39 ft)
Diameter1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Warhead
Warhead weight500–1,250 kg (1,100–2,760 lb) (estimated)[2]
EngineLiquid-propellant rocket (same or derived from R-27 R-29)
PropellantHypergolic combination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel, and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) as oxidizer[3]
Operational
range
2,500–4,000 km (1,600–2,500 mi) (estimated)[4][5]
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance
Accuracy1,600 m (5,200 ft) circular error probable[2]
Launch
platform
MAZ-based transporter erector launcher (TEL)
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
《화성-10》형
Hancha
Revised RomanizationHwaseong-10 hyeong
McCune–ReischauerHwasŏng-10 hyŏng

The Hwasong-10[a] (Korean: 《화성-10》형; Hancha: 火星 10型; lit. Mars Type 10) is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea.

Hwasong-10 resembles the shape of the Soviet Union's R-27 Zyb submarine-launched missile, but is slightly longer.[3] It is based on the R-27, which uses a 4D10 engine propelled by unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO). These propellants are much more advanced than the kerosene compounds used in North Korea's Scuds and Hwasong-7 (Nodong) missiles.[2]

Assuming a range of 3,200 km (2,000 mi), the Musudan could hit any target in East Asia (including US military bases in Guam and Okinawa).[6] The North Korean inventory of the missile is less than 50 launchers.[5]

Description

[edit]

The Hwasong-10's rocket design is a liquid fuel rocket, generally believed to use a hypergolic combination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel, and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) as oxidizer. Once the fuel/oxidizer combination are fed into the missile, it could maintain a 'ready to launch' condition for several days, or even weeks, like the R-27 SLBM, in moderate ambient temperatures. A fueled Hwasong-10 would not have the structural strength to be safely land transported, so would have to be fueled at the launch site.[3]

It was originally believed that the rocket motors of Hwasong-10 were the same as those within the second stage of the Taepodong-2, which North Korea unsuccessfully test fired in 2006.[7] However analysis of the Unha-3 launch, believed to be based on the Taepodong-2, showed that the second stage did not use the same fuel as the R-27, and is probably based on Hwasong-7 (Nodong) rocket technology.[3]

Before its test flight, it was believed that there was a possibility that the Hwasong-10 would use the Nodong's kerosene and corrosion inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) propellants, reducing the missile's range by about half.[3][8]

However, it is unlikely that North Korea uses IRFNA propellants which would reduce its range by about half, after the experts acknowledged that the 22 June 2016 test could have had a range of 3,150 km (1,960 mi) if the missile was not launched in the lofted trajectory.[9]

It was also decided that, as the Korean People's Army's MAZ-547A/MAZ-7916 transporter erector launcher could carry 20 tonnes, and the R-27 Zyb was only 14.2 tonnes, the R-27 Zyb's fuel/oxidizer tank could be extended by approximately 2 m (6.6 ft).[3]

History

[edit]

In the mid-1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea invited the Makeyev Design Bureau's ballistic missile designers and engineers to develop this missile, based on the R-27 Zyb. In 1992, a large contract between Korea Yon’gwang Trading Company and Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau of Miass, Russia was signed. The agreement stated that Russian engineers would go to the DPRK and assist in the development of the Zyb Space Launch Vehicle (SLV).[6]

Hwasong-10 was first revealed to the international community in a military parade on 10 October 2010 celebrating the Workers' Party of Korea's 65th anniversary, although experts believe these were mock-ups of the missile.[3][10]

In April 2013, North Korea was reported to deploy two Hwasong-10 to Wonsan in preparation for a test-fire. Two moblie launchers was reported to continuously moved in and out of a facility. Four to five wheeled vehicles, appears to be TELs, were also spotted to travel around South Hamgyong Province. These actions aimed at making difficult to US and South Korea.[11] A month later, North Korea removed two missiles from launchers.[12]

Since April 2016, the Hwasong-10 has been tested a number of times, with two apparent partial successes and a number of failures. In May 2017, North Korea successfully tested a new missile, the Hwasong-12, with a similar range to the Hwasong-10. It had been displayed in the April 2017 military parade on the Hwasong-10 mobile launcher, and the Hwasong-12 may be intended to replace the Hwasong-10 which has been shown unreliable during its test programme.[13][14] The Hwasong-10 was not shown in the February 2018 military parade, suggesting that the design had not been deployed.[15]

List of Hwasong-10 tests

[edit]
Attempt Date Location Pre-launch announcement / detection Outcome Additional notes
1 15 April 2016 5:30 am Pyongyang Standard Time (PST) Wonsan South Korea detected one or two Hwasong-10 missile(s) near Wonsan a day before the test.[16] Failure Both United States and South Korea "detected and tracked" the missile followed by the confirmation of launch failure. South Korea further claims the missile in this test deviated from a "normal" trajectory.[17]

North Korea kept silent on the test despite the day is the 104th anniversary of the birthday of Kim Il Sung.

2 28 April 2016 6:10 am PST Northeastern coast None Failure The missile crashed a few seconds after liftoff. North Korea kept silent on the test.[18][19]
3 28 April 2016 6:56 pm PST Wonsan None Failure According to United States sources, the missiles went an estimated 200 m (660 ft) off the launchpad. North Korea kept silent on the test.[19]
4 31 May 2016 5:20 am PST Wonsan None Failure Missile exploded on site. North Korea kept silent on the test.[20]
5 22 June 2016 5:58 am PST Wonsan A day before the test, South Korea spotted a Hwasong-10 near east coast.[21] Success (North Korea)
Failure (South Korea and United States 		The missile crashed at 150 km (93 mi) away from the site. It is the first successful Hwasong-10 test that safely launched from the launch site, however, the missile still exploded in midair.[22][23] It is possible that North Korea could have launched the missile at a normal angle, and intentionally terminated its flight early to keep it from overflying Japan at 150 km (93 mi).[24]
6 22 June 2016 5:58 am PST Wonsan Success (North Korea)
Partial success (South Korea and United States) 		According to South Korea, US and Japan, the missile achieved 1,000 km (620 mi) apogee, flew 400 km (250 mi) and landed in Sea of Japan.[25]

North Korea hailed the twin test in 22 June 2016 as a 'complete success' in the state media. North Korea also stated that the missile accurately landed in the targeted waters 400 km (250 mi) away after flying to the maximum altitude of 1,413.6 km (878.4 mi) along the planned flight orbit. The missile was officially named as Hwasong-10.[1] The missile appears to be intended to fly at a steeper angle than normal to avoid overflying Japanese airspace, rather than a normal trajectory, in which the missile could reach its maximum range of 3,500 km (2,200 mi) or more.[26]

7 (Alleged) 15 October 2016 12:03 pm PST Kusong None Failure Initially, the US military identified these tests as failed tests of Hwasong-10, without specifying details.[27][28][29] North Korea kept silent on these reports. Five days after the first test, a second launch took place just hours before the start of the final 2016 US presidential election debate.

It is possible that the missile using for the tests could be Hwasong-13 (KN-08), Pukguksong-2 or Hwasong-12.[30][31][32][33]

8 (Alleged) 20 October 2016 7:00 am PST Kusong None Failure

Operators

[edit]
Map with Hwasong-10 operators in blue

Current operators

[edit]
  •  North Korea: According to one source, more than 200;[34] other source claims 12 deployed.[35] 16 were seen at once during the 10 October 2010 military parade, although experts contacted by the Washington Post believed these were mock-ups of the missile.[10]

Suspected operators

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Also known as BM-25 and Musudan (Korean: 무수단; Hancha: 舞水端).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of SSM Hwasong-10". Korean Central News Agency. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "BM-25 Musudan (Hwasong-10)". Missile Threat. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Markus Schiller (2012). Characterizing the North Korean Nuclear Missile Threat (Report). RAND Corporation. ISBN 978-0-8330-7621-2. TR-1268-TSF. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Facts about North Korea's Musudan missile". GlobalPost. 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013. IHS Jane's puts the estimated range at anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres ... potential payload size has been put at 1.0-1.25 tonnes.
  5. ^ a b Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee (June 2017). "Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat". National Air and Space Intelligence Center. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b Anthony H. Cordesman; Aaron Lin (June 2015). "The Changing Military Balance in the Koreas and Northeast Asia" (PDF). Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  7. ^ C. P. Vick (2000–2004). "2nd 3rd Right Side". Global Security. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  8. ^ Markus Schiller, Robert H. Schmucker (31 May 2012). Explaining the Musudan (PDF) (Report). Arms Control Wonk. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  9. ^ Emmanuelle Maitre (10 March 2023). "Le Musudan : quels progrès techniques et stratégiques pour Pyongyang ?" [The Musudan: what technical and strategic progress for Pyongyang?]. Foundation for Strategic Research (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b John Pomfret and Walter Pincus (1 December 2010). "Experts question North Korea-Iran missile link from WikiLeaks document release". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  11. ^ An Bình (11 April 2013). "Triều Tiên liên tục di chuyển tên lửa, radar Mỹ sẵn sàng "trực chiến"" [North Korea continues to move missiles, US radar is ready for "combat"]. Dân trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  12. ^ Lệ Chi (7 May 2013). "CHDCND Triều Tiên tháo dỡ tên lửa khỏi bệ phóng" [DPRK removed missile from launcher]. Voice of Vietnam (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  13. ^ John Schilling (14 May 2017). "North Korea's Latest Missile Test: Advancing towards an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) While Avoiding US Military Action". 38 North. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  14. ^ Panda, Ankit (15 May 2017). "North Korea's New Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile, the Hwasong-12: First Takeaways". The Diplomat. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  15. ^ Elleman, Michael (8 February 2018). "North Korea's Army Day Military Parade: One New Missile System Unveiled". 38 North. U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  16. ^ JH Ahn (14 April 2016). "North Korea deploys missile for possible launch: Yonhap". NK News. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  17. ^ Anna Fifield (14 April 2016). "North Korea's missile launch has failed, South's military says". The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  18. ^ Hyung-Jin Kim (29 April 2016). "North Korea's missile launch has failed, South's military says". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  19. ^ a b Euan McKirdy; Paula Hancocks (29 April 2016). "North Korea launches two midrange missiles; both tests fail". CNN. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  20. ^ Tamir Eshel (31 May 2016). "North Korean Musudan IRBM Failed - Again". Defense Update. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  21. ^ John G. Grisafi (21 June 2016). "North Korea deploys Musudan missile near east coast". NK News. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  22. ^ "(3rd LD) N. Korea botches fifth Musudan missile test-launch". Yonhap News Agency. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  23. ^ "North Korean missiles fall in Sea of Japan- Pentagon". Reuters. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  24. ^ "N. Korea's fifth Musudan test might not have been failure: US expert". The Korea Times. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  25. ^ "North Korea missiles 'a serious threat' after new tests". BBC News. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  26. ^ Ankit Panda (23 June 2016). "North Korea's Musudan Missile Test Actually Succeeded. What Now?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  27. ^ "North Korea conducted failed ballistic missile test, US military says". The Guardian. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  28. ^ "US military detects 'failed ballistic missile launch' in North Korea after state media vows revenge for 'hostile acts'". The Independent. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  29. ^ "(LEAD) N. Korea's launch of Musudan missile ends in failure again: military". Yonhap News Agency. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  30. ^ Anna Fifield (26 October 2016). "Did North Korea just test missiles capable of hitting the U.S.? Maybe". The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  31. ^ "(LEAD) N. Korea's failed missile tests could have involved KN-08: U.S. expert". Yonhap News Agency. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  32. ^ Jonathan McDowell. "Tests of Hwasong-12 missile family". Planet4589.org. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  33. ^ "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  34. ^ Richard Finney (13 October 2010). "North's Missiles Raise Concerns". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  35. ^ "North Korea Rolls Out Ballistic Missiles". Global Security Newswire. 13 October 2010. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  36. ^ William J. Broad; James Glanz; David E. Sanger (28 November 2010). "Iran Fortifies Its Arsenal With the Aid of North Korea". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  37. ^ "Khorramshahr". Missile Threat. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
[edit]
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Hwasong-10&oldid=1274818562"