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KN number

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The KN number (Korean: KN 코드; lit. KN code) is the designation used by United States for describing North Korean missiles.

Description

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The "KN" stands for "Korea, North", which is the reverse form of "North Korea".[1][2] It is used by United States military for designating North Korean missiles.

The number following "KN" represents the order of the missile learned about by South Korea and the United States. For example, "KN-24" is the 24th North Korean missile recognized by South Korea and the U.S. militaries.[3]

List of KN numbers

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KN number Official designation Classfication Description
KN-01 Kumsong-1[4] Anti-ship missile KN-01 is the extended-range version of Soviet Union's P-15 Termit and China's Silkworm.[4] Another source give the "KN-01" designation to the ship-launched version of the Russian Kh-35's North Korean variant.[2]
KN-02 Hwasong-11 Short-range ballistic missile KN-02, officially Hwasong-11 and also known as Toksa (Viper), is a OTR-21 Tochka-based short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), with a maximum range of 120–170 km (75–106 mi).[5]
KN-04 Hwasong-9 Medium-range ballistic missile KN-04 is the U.S. designation of Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER). It is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), with a maximum range of 1,000 km (620 mi).[6][7]
KN-06 Pongae-5 Surface-to-air missile KN-06 is the U.S. designation of Pongae-5, a surface-to-air missile. After a test on 28 May 2017, Pongae-5 became operational.[8]
KN-08 Hwasong-13 Intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile KN-08 is the U.S. designation of the initial three-stage design of the never-deployed and never-tested Hwasong-13, an intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile that first displayed in April 2012.[9][10]
KN-09 Unknown Multiple rocket launcher KN-09, also known as KN-SS-X-9, is the U.S. designation of 300mm-diameter multiple rocket launcher.[11]
KN-10 Unknown Short-range ballistic missile KN-10 is the upgraded version of Hwasong-11 (KN-02), with a maximum range of 220 km (140 mi).[2]
KN-11 Pukguksong-1 Submarine-launched ballistic missile KN-11 is the external name of Pukguksong-1, a two-stage, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that was successfully flight tested in August 2016. Its maximum range is about 1,200 km (750 mi).[12]
KN-12 Unknown Multiple rocket launcher KN-12 is the external designation of the 122 mm multiple rocket launcher.[2]
KN-14 Hwasong-13 Intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile KN-14 is the U.S. designation of the two-stage version of the never-deployed and never-tested Hwasong-13, an intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile. It was first displayed in October 2015.[9][10] Previously, the missile was misidentified as Hwasong-14.[2]
KN-15 Pukguksong-2 Medium-range ballistic missile KN-15 is the U.S. designation of Pukguksong-2, a solid-fueled medium-range balistic missile that was first tested in February 2017. It is the land-based version of Pukguksong-1.[13]
KN-16 Unknown Multiple rocket launcher KN-16 is the external designation of a 240-mm multiple rocket launch system.[2]
KN-17 Hwasong-12 Intermediate-range ballistic missile KN-17 is the U.S. designation of Hwasong-12, a liquid-fueled intermediate-range balistic missile that have the first successful test in May 2017.[14]
KN-18 Unknown Short-range ballistic missile KN-18 is the U.S. designation of a variant of the Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) with maneuverable reentry vehicle, first tested in May 2017.[2][15] Other sources give this desination to Hwasong-5 (Scud-B)'s similar variant.[16]
KN-19 Kumsong-3 Anti-ship missile KN-19 is the U.S. designation of Kumsong-3, an anti-ship missile first tested in June 2017.[2]
KN-20 Hwasong-14 Intercontinental ballistic missile KN-20 is the U.S. designation of Hwasong-14, an intercontinental ballistic missile that was tested twice in July 2017.[2][17]
KN-21 Unknown Short-range ballistic missile KN-21 is the U.S. designation of a variant of the Hwasong-5 with terminal maneuverability, first tested in August 2017.[2][18] Other sources give this desination to Hwasong-6's similar variant.[16]
KN-22 Hwasong-15 Intercontinental ballistic missile KN-22 is the U.S. designation of Hwasong-15, an intercontinental ballistic missile that was first tested in November 2017.[2][19]
KN-23 Hwasong-11A Short-range ballistic missile KN-23 is the U.S. designation of a short-range ballistic missile that was first tested in May 2019. It is similar to Russia's Iskander.[20] In July 2023, four years after the first test, North Korea officially revealed the missile's official name.[21]
KN-24 Hwasong-11B Short-range ballistic missile KN-24 is the U.S. designation of a short-range ballistic missile that was first tested in August 2019. It is similar to United States's ATACMS.[22] In October 2021, during a military exhibition, North Korea revealed the missile's official name.[23]
KN-25 Super-large multiple rocket launcher
600 mm multiple rocket launcher 		Multiple rocket launcher or short-range ballistic missile KN-25 is the U.S. designation of the officially-called 600 mm multiple rocket launcher (or Super-large multiple rocket launcher). Due to its large size and range compared to other MRLs, United States Forces Korea classified it as a short-range ballistic missile.[24]
KN-26 Pukguksong-3 Submarine-launched ballistic missile KN-26 is the external name of Pukguksong-3, a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that was first tested in October 2019.[25]
KN-27 Hwasong-17 Intercontinental ballistic missile KN-27 and KN-28 are the U.S. designations of Hwasong-17, an intercontinental ballistic missile that was first displayed in October 2020.[26][27]
KN-28

References

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  1. ^ "공포를 주는 번호 'KN-코드'[디펜스칼럼]" [The terrifying number 'KN-code' [Defense column]]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Scott LaFoy (31 July 2017). "The More You KN-0w About North Korean Missiles". Arms Control Wonk. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  3. ^ Kwon Hyuk-chul (11 February 2024). "Understanding the menacing names of N. Korean weapons, and what they tell us". The Hankyoreh. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b "KN-01 (Silkworm/Styx)". Missile Threat. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ^ "KN-02 (Toksa)". Missile Threat. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  7. ^ "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  8. ^ "KN-06 (Pon'gae-5)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Hwasong-13 (KN-08, KN-14)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b Gunter D. Krebs. "Hwasong-13 ("KN-08", "KN-14") IRBM". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  11. ^ "KN-09". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Pukguksong-1 (KN-11)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Pukguksong-2 (KN-15)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  14. ^ "Hwasong-12 (KN-17)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  15. ^ "KN-18". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  16. ^ a b "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Hwasong-14/KN-20". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  18. ^ "KN-21". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Hwasong-15 (KN-22)". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  20. ^ "KN-23". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  21. ^ "KN-23（イスカンデル擬き）は火星11Aである" [KN-23 (Iskander imitator) is Hwasong-11A]. Yahoo News Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  22. ^ "KN-24". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Image containing the official name of Hwasong-11B (KN-24) missile". Media Ryugyong. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  24. ^ "KN-25". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Pukguksong-3 (KN-26)". Missile Threat. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Hwasong-17 (KN-27)". Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  27. ^ Grady, John (18 August 2021). "Russia is Top Military Threat to U.S. Homeland, Air Force General Says". USNI News. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
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