Hwasong-16B
The Hwasong-16B is a North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile. First test-fired on 2 April 2024, Hwasong-16B is the third North Korean ballistic missile capable of carrying hypersonic glide vehicle after Hwasong-8 and Hwasong-12B.
Description
Hwasong-16B is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile. It is estimated to be long and wide. The length of the first and second stage boosters are also judged to be and, respectively. The HGV payload is also claimed to have a length of. It is launched from a seven-axle wheeled transporter erector launcher. The open-front canister, which in its stored state, has a two-part clam-shell cover on each side. The missile is cold-launched with a gas generator at the end of the launch tube, popping the missile up prior to ignition.Based on information released after the January 2025 test, it was determined that the Hwasong-16B's engine body used a new composite carbon fiber material. Its estimated range is about ; however, if North Korea increases the Hwasong-16B's range to, it can even attack US military bases in Alaska. Using Hwasong-16B platform, if North Korea reduces the missile structural weight and uses high-energy solid propellant, Hwasong-16B can achieve range and become an intercontinental ballistic missile.
The missile can also be armed with a nuclear or conventional unitary warhead.
Data from test-fires showed that the missile reached a maximum speed of. However, the estimated maximum speed of Hwasong-16B is.
History
A parade on 10 October 2020 unveiled the existence of an intercontinental ballistic missile larger than the Hwasong-15. It was unofficially dubbed the "Hwasong-16" as part of the Hwasong missile series, though subsequent analysis of footage indicated that it was officially called Hwasong-17.In November 2023, North Korea announced static ground tests of rocket motors for a solid-fueled IRBM.
On 14 January 2024, North Korea test-fired a solid-fueled hypersonic IRBM, but the missile used for the test was Hwasong-16A, and it was not counted as an official test of Hwasong-16B. After this test, on 19 March 2024, Kim Jong Un oversaw an initial solid-fuel engine test in preparation for another launch. Hwasong-16B officially made its public debut on 2 April 2024, with a flight test. This launch was made with a HGV payload akin to the one mounted on the Hwasong-8.
North Korea conducted another test-fire of Hwasong-16B on 6 January 2025. North Korean state media called the missile as "new-type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile" without mentioning official name. The missile seen in the January 2025 test is identical to the Hwasong-16B missile tested in April 2024.
List of tests
Responses after Hwasong-16B's maiden flight
researcher Ankit Panda, described the transition to solid-fuel rockets as a heavily favored play by Kim, noting that "There are obvious strategic advantages to an all-solid-fuel force for them in the form of greater promptness, responsiveness, and survivability,"The launch was condemned by the United Kingdom as a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch as "damaging for regional and international peace and stability".
Ministry of [Foreign Affairs (South Korea)|South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs] confirmed a joint investigation ongoing with the U.S., and subsequently on 3 April 2024 it seized a ship off the coast of South Korea in violation of North Korean sanctions.
Variants
MaRV variant
Prior to the April 2024 test of Hwasong-16B with hypersonic glide vehicle, in January 2024, a variant of Hwasong-16B with maneuverable reentry vehicle was tested. The official name of this variant may be Hwasong-16A, but it remains unconfirmed.MIRV test vehicle
The two-stage solid-propellant booster, which was used for the tests of Hwasong-16A and Hwasong-16B, was unofficially called as Hwasong-16. It is based on the Hwasong-18 solid-fueled ICBM.On 26 June 2024, North Korea test-fired a missile using the first stage of Hwasong-16 to test multiple independently-targeted reentry vehicles. The missile that had the first stage to be used in this test was not officially named, instead, North Korean state media depicting it as an "intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile" and claimed the test was a success, with the three warheads being guided to their targets. South Korean military detected the launch around 5:30 a.m. and claimed that North Korea possibly launched a hypersonic missile. According to South Korea and Japan, the missile flew with an apogee of, failed to release any warhead and exploded in midair before falling into Sea of Japan.
The nose cone of the MIRV test vehicle resembles that of Hwasong-17.