KN-18

Quick facts Images of the KN-18 ...

Images of the KN-18
At the 15 April 2017 military parade
May 2017 test

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The KN-18 is a variant of Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) with terminal maneuverability. Initially, the KN-18 was assessed as an anti-ship ballistic missile, but it is incorrect.^[1][2][3] Other sources claim the KN-18 to be a variant of Hwasong-5 (Scud-B).^[4][5] Based from images, the missile's estimated length is judged to be about 11.5–11.9 m (38–39 ft).^[6]

The missile utilizes a liquid-fueled Scud booster and is equipped with a separable warhead,^[7] which has several additional "fins" to make it maneuverable.^[8] After engine burnout, the KN-18's warhead adjusts its trajectory to precisely strike the target.^[9] The missile's circular error probable is 7 m (23 ft), according to North Korean state media. The KN-18 has a range of 450 km (280 mi), based on information released after the first and only test-fire.^[7] The KN-18's launcher is a tracked chassis. Along with the maneuverable reentry vehicle, the KN-18 appears to be possibly nuclear-capable.^[9]

The KN-18 was first displayed during a military parade on 15 April 2017 commemorating the 105th birthday of the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Initially, the missile was designated by the United States as KN-17, but this designation was later used for Hwasong-12, an intermediate-range ballistic missile that had a successful test flight on 14 May 2017.^[7][10]

The KN-18's maiden test-flight occurred on 29 May 2017.^[11] After the test-fire, United States designated the missile as KN-18.^[7]

North Korea has never disclosed KN-18's official designation. It is not known whether the KN-18 is in production, and it is also possible that the KN-18 is superseded by newer solid-fueled SRBMs.^[5][9]

There has been one known test so far:

• Hwasong-12A
• Hwasong-16A