Pukguksong-4
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| Pukguksong-4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submarine-launched ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2020 |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| No. built | 4 prototypes |
| Specifications | |
| Length | About 10 m (33 ft) |
| Width | About 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead MIRV-capable (unconfirmed) |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | 3,500–5,400 km (2,200–3,400 mi) (estimated) |
Launch platform | submersible barge, submarine (planned) |
The Pukguksong-4[a] (Korean: 북극성-4; lit. Polaris 4) is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). First displayed on 10 October 2020 during a military parade, Pukguksong-4 is an evolution of Pukguksong-3 with a larger size and a longer range.
| Images of the Pukguksong-4 | |
|---|---|
 At the 10 October 2020 military parade |
Pukguksong-4 is a two-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile. As a further development from Pukguksong-3, it is significantly increased in size compared to the predecessor, with an estimated length and diameter of about 10 m (33 ft) and about 2 m (6.6 ft), respectively.[3][4] Other sources claimed Pukguksong-4 to be shorter than Pukguksong-3.[5][6] It is likely designed to be fitted with Sinpo-C class submarine, which was being built in 2020, capable of carrying 3–4 SLBMs.[7][8][9][10]
As portions of the Pukguksong-4's engine appear to be filament-wound, the missile has a heavier payload, a better range and is lighter compared to the previous missiles.[11][12][13] The maximum range of Pukguksong-4 is estimated from 3,500 km (2,200 mi) with a 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) payload to 5,400 km (3,400 mi) with a 650 kg (1,430 lb) payload. It is alleged to be MIRV-capable, but it remains unconfirmed.[14] According to Daily NK, Pukguksong-4 is capable of carrying four warheads, but it can be increased to eight.[15]
The missile is also claimed to be a silo-based missile and missing the second stage or stage separation mechanism.[3][5]
Pukguksong-4 appears to have two versions, with different lengths for different launch tubes.[16] Daily NK's sources state that the two versions of Pukguksong-4 are: a shorter version, whose diameter is larger than Pukguksong-3, and a slightly longer version.[15]
History
Pukguksong-4 made its public debut in a military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea on 10 October 2020. According to German expert Norbert Brügge, it was seen with a Korean People's Army Ground Force escort.[3] Four Pukguksong-4 missiles were seen,[14] and these missiles were placed on trucks.[13] North Korea introduced Pukguksong-4 missiles as "underwater strategic ballistic missiles".[14] These missiles appear to have different lengths.[15][16]
According to South Korean Chief of Naval Operations Boo Suk-jong, the name written in these missiles is Pukguksong-4S, not Pukguksong-4A, and the letter "ㅅ" (S) may stand for "sujung" (수중; lit. underwater) or "susang" (수상; lit. water surface).[17]
A further development of Pukguksong-4, called Pukguksong-5, was displayed on 14 January 2021 during a military parade. Pukguksong-5, believed to be similar to Pukguksong-4, appears to be larger than its predecessor.[18]
There have been no known test for Pukguksong-4 so far. However, an alleged flight test occurred on 19 October 2021. Initially, the missile used for the test-fire was supposed to be some types of SLBMs, including Pukguksong-4. Later, the missile used in the 19 October 2021 launch was judged to be Hwasong-11S, an underwater-launched variant of Hwasong-11A (KN-23).[19][20]