Hwasong-15

Missile

Judged from images released by North Korea, the Hwasong-15 is 22.5 m (74 ft) in length, 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) wide and has a body mass of about 72,000 kg (159,000 lb).^[4] It is longer and wider than Hwasong-14 by 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and 0.4–0.8 m (1 ft 4 in – 2 ft 7 in), respectively.^[5]

Based on its trajectory and distance, the missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km (8,100 mi) – more than enough to reach Washington D.C. and the rest of the United States, albeit, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, probably with a reduced payload.^[6][7][8] Several important US allies, including the United Kingdom, France and Australia, also lie within the missile's theoretical range, which covers most of Earth's land masses except South America, the Caribbean, and the majority of Antarctica.^[9][10] However, in the first flight, North Korea fired Hwasong-15 using lofted trajectory, in which the missile can reach nearly 4,500 km (2,800 mi) apogee, but also has a reduced range of 950 km (590 mi).^[11][12]

The different densities of different casing materials and explosive mechanisms (e.g. metallic-based conventional explosives tend to be several times heavier than a corresponding volume of organic explosives) make accurately estimating warhead payload based on images alone very difficult, if not impossible. Based on the limited information available, the Union of Concerned Scientists did conclude that equipping the missile with a normal-sized payload would likely reduce the overall range.^[13][14]

Engine

According to international weapons analysts,^[15] the Hwasong-15 first stage has a gimbaled two-chambered main engine system, as opposed to the Hwasong-12 and Hwasong-14 which have one fixed main chamber and four gimbaled steering vernier thruster chambers.^[16]

The second-stage engine for the Hwasong-15 was test-fired on 23 June 2017.^[1][17][18]

According to missile specialist Norbert Brügge, the missile uses the Paektusan (백두산) engine, the first stage of the two-stage missile uses an RD-250 clone liquid propulsion system developed by Pyongyang, comprising two combustors fed by common turbopump to increase takeoff thrust. The new propulsion is estimated to have 788 kN (177,000 lbf) thrust, a 170 percent increase compared to the Hwasong-14.^[4][19][20]

Warhead

On 29 November 2017, Michael Elleman wrote for 38 North that at 13,000 km (8,100 mi), the payload would be around 150 kg (330 lb), based on flight data of the test and conjectured it was a reconfigured Hwasong-14.^[21] On 30 November, after the publication of the images and video of the launch, he wrote a subsequent article on 38 North in which he stated that he first visualized the design of the missile based solely on flight data. After seeing the images and video, Elleman increased the maximum estimate of payload from 150 kg (330 lb) to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) at a range of 13,000 km (8,100 mi). He noted major differences in the design of the actual Hwasong-15 and the missile he visualized the day before, from the dimensions to two nozzles/engine instead of one, such as on the Hwasong-14.^[19]

Analysts have noted that the re-entry vehicle has a blunter nose than previous designs, which can accommodate a larger diameter warhead and reduces re-entry stress and heating at the cost of accuracy.^[14] Some analysts think it may be able to carry additional payloads such as decoys or even multiple warheads.^[22]

Launch vehicle

The 9-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle is larger compared to the 8-axle TEL vehicle of the Hwasong-14. However, just like the Hwasong-14, the launch footage from November 2017 test indicates the missile was fired from a fixed launch pad, not from the vehicle.^{[23][24][25][26]}

Information from the February 2023 launch suggests that the Hwasong-15 was fired directly from a moblie launch vehicle.^[27] As Hwasong-15 is a road-mobile missile mounted on TELs, it is easy to evade detection, meaning the missile is favourable for a surprise launch.^[28]

Confirmed tests

Alleged tests

The ICBM launch of 24 March 2022, which was claimed by North Korean state media as the launch of Hwasong-17, may be a test of Hwasong-15 or its modified version, according to South Korean and US intelligence.^[44][45]