Pukguksong-5
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| Pukguksong-5 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submarine-launched ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2021 |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| No. built | 5 prototypes |
| Specifications | |
| Length | About 10.5–11.6 m (34–38 ft) |
| Width | About 1.8–2.1 m (5.9–6.9 ft) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead MIRV-capable (unconfirmed) |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | About 3,000–5,000 km (1,900–3,100 mi) (estimated) |
Launch platform | submersible barge, submarine (planned) |
The Pukguksong-5[a] (Korean: 북극성-5; lit. Polaris 5) is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). First unveiled in January 2021 during a military parade, Pukguksong-5 is an evolution of Pukguksong-3 with a longer range and a larger size. The missile may also be capable of carrying a heavier payload or multiple warheads. North Korea has claimed Pukguksong-5 as "the world's most powerful weapon".
| Images of the Pukguksong-5 | |
|---|---|
 At the 14 January 2021 military parade |
Pukguksong-5 is a two-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile. It is significantly increased in size compared to the Pukguksong-4, with estimated length and diameter of 10.5–11.6 m (34–38 ft) and 1.8–2.1 m (5 ft 11 in – 6 ft 11 in) respectively. Compared with Pukguksong-3 and Pukguksong-4, Pukguksong-5 have a pointed, elongated nose cone.[2][4][5][6]
German expert Norbert Brügge claimed the Pukguksong-5 to be a silo-based missile.[7]
Pukguksong-5 is alleged to have greater range and heavier payload.[6] The operational range of Pukguksong-5 is assumed to be from about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) to 4,000–5,000 km (2,500–3,100 mi),[4][5][8] allowing North Korea submarines to threaten Guam while operating in the Sea of Japan, not far from the North Korean coast. The range is claimed to be a result of the backwardness in design, manufacturing technology and solid propellants.[4][5] It is possible that Pukguksong-5 is capable of carrying multiple warheads.[9]
The Pukguksong-5's first stage is possibly identical to Pukguksong-3 and Pukguksong-4.[10]
History
In November 2019 and October 2020, Daily NK's sources reported that North Korea planned to develop Pukguksong-5, intending to be fitted to a nuclear-powered submarine and launched in 2022.[11][12]
Pukguksong-5 made its public debut in a military parade on 14 January 2021. Four Pukguksong-5 missiles were placed on 6-axle wheeled semi-trailers. At the time of debut, North Korea claimed Pukguksong-5 to be "the world's most powerful weapon".[6][13] The appearance of yet another untested missile likely indicates North Korea is still in the process of finalizing on a specific SLBM design.[4][14] These missiles were assessed to be non-operational mock-ups.[15]
North Korea displayed Pukguksong-5 along with Pukguksong-1 and then-unnamed Hwasong-11S during "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition, held in October 2021.[16]
According to Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, a solid-fueled engine, which was tested in December 2022 and produced 140 tons of thrust, could be the engine of Pukguksong-5.[17]
It is possible that Pukguksong-5 remains just a paper project.[4]
There have been no known test for Pukguksong-5 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-5. 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).[18][19][20]