Pukguksong-6
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| Pukguksong-6 (presumed) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submarine-launched ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2022 |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| No. built | 4 prototypes |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 13.2 m (43 ft) |
| Width | 2.21 m (7.3 ft) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead MIRV-capable (unconfirmed) |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | 4,000–12,000 km (2,500–7,500 mi) |
Launch platform | Submarine (planned) |
The Pukguksong-6 (Korean: 북극성-6; lit. Polaris 6) is presumed to be the official designation of a North Korean solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) first unveiled in 2022.
| Images of the Pukguksong-6 | |
|---|---|
 At the 25 April 2022 military parade |
The Pukguksong-6 is a solid-propelled missile probably derived from Pukguksong-5.[1] It is longer than Pukguksong-4 and Pukguksong-5.[2] The missile's estimated length and diameter is 13.2 m (43 ft) and 2.21 m (7.3 ft) respectively. The missile likely uses three-stage design.[3] However, German analyst Norbert Brügge claimed the missile to be a two-stage silo-based missile with a longer first stage compared to Pukguksong-5.[4]
As an improved version of Pukguksong-5, Pukguksong-6 may have a much longer range and capability of carrying multiple warheads,[5] and is believed to be able to carry three to four reentry vehicles.[6] The missile is also said to be theoretically capable of hitting the continental United States,[7] with estimated ranges ranging from 4,000 km (2,500 mi) to 12,000 km (7,500 mi).[6][8]
The missile is also claimed to be the largest SLBM produced by North Korea,[9] as well as the North Korea's largest solid-fueled ballistic missile as of September 2022.[1]
The Pukguksong-6 may be intended to be launched from a 3,000-ton submarine under construction as of 2022, as well as a nuclear-powered submarine under construction as of 2025.[7][8][10]