Hwasong-11C
{{Short description|North Korean short-range ballistic missile}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = Hwasong-11C
| image = Diagram of KN-23 Larger Variant.svg
| image_size = 50
| caption = Artist rendition of the missile
| origin = North Korea
| type = Short-range ballistic missile
| vehicle_range = Original version: About {{cvt|600-900|km|abbr=on}}
Hwasong-11C-4.5: About {{cvt|640|km|abbr=on}}
| filling = Original version: {{cvt|2500|kg|abbr=on}}
Hwasong-11C-4.5: {{cvt|4500|kg|abbr=on}}
Tactical nuclear warhead
| yield =
| engine = Solid-propelled engine
| speed =
| length = {{cvt|9.6-9.8|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter = {{cvt|1.1-1.2|m|abbr=on}}
| weight =
| design_date = 2021
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| service = 2021-present
| used_by = Korean People's Army Strategic Force
| launch_platform = 5-axle TEL
}}
The Hwasong-11C{{efn|Also known as Hwasong-11Da,{{Cite web|author=B. Volodymyr|date=14 January 2024|title=North Korea threat: Existing and potential ballistic weapons in the Russian arsenal|url=https://militarnyi.com/en/articles/north-korea-threat-existing-and-potential-ballistic-weapons-in-the-russian-arsenal/|access-date=2025-05-25|website=Militarnyi}}{{Cite web|title=Brief on 27 July 2023 Parade of the DPRK|author=Tianran Xu|date=8 August 2023|url=https://opennuclear.org/publication/brief-27-july-2023-parade-dprk
|access-date=2024-12-29|website=Open Nuclear Network}} KN-23A, KN-23B and KN-30 (unofficial or reported external designations).{{Cite web|author=A.B. Abrams|date=2024-01-08
|title=KN-23B deployments against Ukraine could be major boon for North Korea’s wider defence exports|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/kn-23b-deployments-against-ukraine-could-be-major-boon-for-north-koreas-wider-defence-exports/|access-date=2025-05-16|website=Daily NK}}{{cite web |title=North Korean Short Range Systems: Military consequences of the development of the KN-23, KN-24 and KN-25 |first1=Stéphane |last1=Delory |first2=Antoine |last2=Bondaz |first3=Christian |last3=Maire |date=2023 |url= https://www.nonproliferation.eu/hcoc/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NORTH-KOREAN-SHORT-RANGE-SYSTEMS.pdf |publisher=Foundation for Strategic Research |access-date=2025-05-27 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 January 2023 |pages=64-65 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230116105343/https://www.nonproliferation.eu/hcoc/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NORTH-KOREAN-SHORT-RANGE-SYSTEMS.pdf}}{{Cite web|author1=Lee Geun-pyeong |author2=Lee Yu-jeong|date=2025-04-13
|title=[단독]美, 北 CRBM에 코드명 ‘KN-35’ 붙였다…KN-25 이후 30번대 넘버링 첫 확인|trans-title=(Exclusive) US gives North Korea CRBM codename 'KN-35'... First confirmation of 30-series numbering since KN-25|url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25328185|access-date=2025-05-27|website=The JoongAng|language=ko}}}} ({{Korean|hangul=《화성포-11다》형|lit=Mars Artillery Type 11C|context=north}}) is a North Korean single-stage, solid-fueled short-range ballistic missile.
Description
Hwasong-11C is the enlarged variant of the Hwasong-11A (KN-23), with a closely similar design.{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=S/2021/211|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2021_211.pdf
|access-date=2025-01-22|website=United Nations Security Council|pages=14, 101}}{{Cite web|date=7 March 2024|title=S/2024/215|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/S%202024%20215.pdf
|access-date=2024-12-30|website=United Nations Security Council|page=124}} The missile's range is estimated to be about {{cvt|600-900|km|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|date=2022-04-21
|title=DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022|url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/DPRK%20Parade%20ViewBook%2020220421.pptx_.pdf
|access-date=2024-12-29|website=Open Nuclear Network|page=13}} It also has an aeroballistic trajectory, made it harder for missile defenses to intercept.{{Cite web |last=Xu |first=Tianran |date=2 May 2022 |title=25 April 2022 DPRK Parade |url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/25%20April%202022%20DPRK%20parade_0_0.pdf |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Open Nuclear Network|page=21}} The estimated length and diameter of Hwasong-11C are about {{cvt|9.6-9.8|m|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|1.1-1.2|m|abbr=on}} respectively. The solid-fueled rocket engine likely has an extra segment. It is also fitted to a longer TEL with five axles and an additional two sections.{{Cite web|title=Pukguksong GLBM-3|url=https://b14643.eu/Spacerockets/Specials/Pukguksong_GLBM-3/index.htm
|access-date=2024-12-29|website=b14643.eu}}{{Cite web|title=S/2021/777|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/S_2021_777_E.pdf
|access-date=2025-05-25|website=United Nations Security Council|page=90}} The nose cone is similar in shape to the Hwasong-11B (KN-24).{{Cite web|author1=Jaewoo Shin|author2=Veronika Bedenko|author3=Clayton Besaw|author4=Tianran Xu|date=3 April 2021|title=ONN Korean Peninsula Risk Assessment, March 2021|url=https://opennuclear.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/ONN%20Korean%20Peninsula%20Risk%20Assessment_%20March%202021%20%28FINAL%29.pdf|access-date=2025-01-22|website=Open Nuclear Network|page=16}}
Based on information from the 25 March 2021 tests, it appears that Hwasong-11C is longer and have a more conical nose compared with the base version. North Korea claimed the missile to be equipped with a {{cvt|2500|kg|abbr=on}} warhead. According to 38 North, such a large warhead weight is almost certainly exaggerated.{{Cite web|author=Vann H. Van Diepen|title=Initial Analysis of North Korea's March 25 SRBM Launches
|url=https://www.38north.org/2021/03/initial-analysis-of-north-koreas-march-25-srbm-launches/|access-date=2025-01-22|website=38 North|date=30 March 2021}} It is possible that such a large payload claim could be using for propaganda purpose, intended to give the impression that North Korea is keeping pace with their adversary's missile advancements, as the South Korean Hyunmoo-4 has a {{cvt|2000|kg|abbr=on}} warhead and the Hwasong-11C was proclaimed as the world's largest warhead weight.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Sangsoo|title=Missile Deployments on the Korean Peninsula: An Accelerating Arms Race|url=https://www.38north.org/2021/05/missile-deployments-on-the-korean-peninsula-an-accelerating-arms-race/|access-date=2025-01-22|website=38 North|date=7 May 2021}} The new weapon would be able to almost completely cover South Korea from its launch site. If it can perform as claimed by North Korea, the weapon would be a powerful bunker buster weapon. UN Security Council member states have questioned whether the 2.5-tonne warhead claim could refer to the entire weight of the missile after burnout, not just the warhead weight.
Alongside with heavy warhead, Hwasong-11C is also claimed to be capable of carrying Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead.{{Cite web |author=Colin Zwirko |date=2 July 2024 |title=North Korea says it tested new tactical missile variant at two different ranges
|url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/07/north-korea-says-it-tested-new-tactical-missile-variant-at-two-different-ranges/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=NK News}}{{Cite web|author=Yang Uk|date=29 June 2023 |title=북한의 최신 핵무기 개발 현황: 핵그림자를 드리우는 북한의 인지전 시도|trans-title=North Korea's latest nuclear weapons developments: North Korea's cognitive warfare attempts to cast a nuclear shadow
|url=https://www.asaninst.org/contents/%EB%B6%81%ED%95%9C%EC%9D%98-%EC%B5%9C%EC%8B%A0%ED%95%B5%EB%AC%B4%EA%B8%B0-%EA%B0%9C%EB%B0%9C-%ED%98%84%ED%99%A9%ED%95%B5%EA%B7%B8%EB%A6%BC%EC%9E%90%EB%A5%BC-%EB%93%9C%EB%A6%AC%EC%9A%B0%EB%8A%94/ |access-date=2025-05-25|website=Asan Institute for Policy Studies|lang=ko}}
History
Hwasong-11C made its public debut on 14 January 2021 in a military parade. At the time of public debut, six Hwasong-11C launchers were seen, each launcher had two missiles. North Korea did not name these missiles.
Hwasong-11C had its maiden flight test on 25 March 2021, and a further test-fire occurred on 28 September 2022.{{Cite web|title=The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database|url=https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/north_korea_missile_test_database.xlsx|access-date=2024-12-30|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative}} Between two test-fires, Hwasong-11C was displayed in the "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition, as well as the 25 April 2022 military parade, when twelve Hwasong-11C missiles were displayed. Like the March 2021 tests, North Korea also opted to not disclose the missile's official designation in these appearances.{{Cite web|date=7 September 2022
|title=S/2022/668|url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n22/608/53/pdf/n2260853.pdf|access-date=2025-01-27|website=United Nations Security Council|page=21}}
The missile's official name was revealed in the KCNA's report on the new Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead in late March 2023.{{Cite web|author=Colin Zwirko|title=North Korea reveals internal names for several missile systems: Analysis|url=https://www.nknews.org/pro/north-korea-reveals-internal-names-for-several-missile-systems-analysis/|access-date=2024-12-29|website=NK Pro|date=3 April 2023}}{{Cite web|date=28 March 2023|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Work for Mounting Nuclear Warheads on Ballistic Missiles|url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/a9ff9940b4b8dd920c378118854adfe8.kcmsf|access-date=2024-12-30|website=Korean Central News Agency}}
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing more than six Hwasong-11C launchers. These launchers are assessed as "in test" by the IISS.{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2025 |date=12 February 2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1041049678 |edition=1st}}{{rp|268}}
List of tests
=Confirmed tests=
class="wikitable"
! scope="col" |Attempt ! scope="col" |Date ! scope="col" |Location ! scope="col" |Number of missiles tested ! scope="col" |Outcome ! scope="col" |Additional notes |
scope="row" |1
|25 March 2021 |Yonpo Airport, near Hamhung and Sondok Airport, Chongpyong County (both in South Hamgyong Province) |2 |{{Success}} |According to North Korea, the missiles flew {{cvt|600|km|abbr=on}} and were equipped with a {{cvt|2500|kg|abbr=on}} warhead. South Korean and Japanese analysis initially said they only flew {{cvt|420-450|km|abbr=on}} while reaching an apogee of {{cvt|60|km|abbr=on}}. Later, South Korea revised their estimate and agreed with the North Korean statement of a {{cvt|600|km|abbr=on}} range, saying the discrepancy resulted from blind spots in radar coverage due to the Earth's curvature.{{Cite web|author1=Gabriel Dominguez|author2=Dae Young Kim |date=29 April 2021|title=Seoul says North Korean SRBMs test-launched on 25 March travelled 600 km|url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/seoul-says-north-korean-srbms-test-launched-on-25-march-travelled-600-km|access-date=2025-02-07|website=Janes Information Services}} North Korea called Hwasong-11C as "new-type tactical guided projectile" without revealing official name in this test.{{Cite web|date=26 March 2021|title=Academy of Defence Science Test-fires New-type Tactical Guided Projectile|url=http://kcna.co.jp/item/2021/202103/news26/20210326-03ee.html|access-date=2025-05-25|website=Korean Central News Agency}} |
---|
2
|28 September 2022 |Sunan, Pyongyang |2 |{{Success}} |Both missiles reached {{cvt|50|km|abbr=on}} apogee. One of the two missiles flew {{cvt|350|km|abbr=on}}, the other flew {{cvt|300|km|abbr=on}}. According to the information released by North Korea on 10 October 2022, the test-fire, which was guided by Kim Jong Un, was a nuclear warhead loading and launch simulation test for "neutralizing the airports in the operation zones of south Korea".{{Cite web|date=10 October 2022|title=Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Military Drills of KPA Units for Operation of Tactical Nukes|url=http://kcna.co.jp/item/2022/202210/news10/20221010-01ee.html |access-date=2024-12-30|website=Korean Central News Agency}} For images, see these images: [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/kcna-watch/kcna_kp_en/images/PIC0070358.jpg 1], [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/kcna-watch/kcna_kp_en/images/PIC0070359.jpg 2] and [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/kcna-watch/kcna_kp_en/images/PIC0070360.jpg 3]. Like the March 2021 tests, North Korea also did not reveal the missile's official name in this test. |
=Unconfirmed tests=
Member states of the United Nations Security Council alleged that the then-unnamed Hwasong-11C was test-fired on 25 May 2022 and 5 June 2022.
Hwasong-11C-4.5
The 4.5 tons warhead version of Hwasong-11C, called Hwasong-11C-4.5{{efn|Also known as Hwasong-11Da-4.5,{{Cite web|date=1 July 2024|title=Triều Tiên phóng thử một tên lửa đạn đạo có khả năng mang đầu đạn siêu lớn|trans-title=North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large warhead|url=https://nhandan.vn/trieu-tien-phong-thu-mot-ten-lua-dan-dao-co-kha-nang-mang-dau-dan-sieu-lon-post817118.html|access-date=2024-12-29|website=Nhân Dân|language=vi}} Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5.{{Cite web |title=DPRK Missile Administration and Academy of Defence Sciences Make Public Important Scientific Research Achievements|url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/7d5be7e17d208cb7d8e0e4118aa52d67.kcmsf |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Korean Central News Agency}}}} ({{Korean|hangul=《화성포-11다-4.5》|lit=Mars Artillery Type 11C-4.5|context=north|labels=no}}) is named after its 4.5-ton warhead.{{Cite web|date=2 July 2024|title=DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test-fire of New-type Tactical Ballistic Missile
|url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/841c0d7c2c6cf2f2c8928f7bfb021616.kcmsf
|access-date=2024-12-29|website=Korean Central News Agency}}{{Cite web|date=19 September 2024|author=Shreyas Reddy|title=North Korea tests 'explosive power' of new ballistic missile|url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/09/north-korea-tests-explosive-power-of-new-ballistic-missile/|access-date=2024-12-29|website=NK News}}
=Description=
{{External media|float=right|title=Images of the Hwasong-11C-4.5|headerimage=|image1=[https://militarnyi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot_3-34-1.jpg September 2024 test]|image2=[https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/2024/09/Hwasong-11A-ballistic-missile-test_KCNA-20240919-010.jpg Missile hitting target]|width=250px}}
Hwasong-11C-4.5 is capable of carrying a {{cvt|4500|kg|abbr=on}} warhead, an increase from the {{cvt|2500|kg|abbr=on}} warhead of the baseline Hwasong-11C.{{Cite web|date=2 July 2024|title=北朝鮮が「火星砲-11タ-4.5」短距離弾道弾の試射に成功、弾頭重量を2.5トン→4.5トンに増強|trans-title=North Korea successfully test-fires Hwasong-11C-4.5 short-range ballistic missile, increasing warhead weight from 2.5 tons to 4.5 tons|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/8d78a9f785ed103202f822bc4552af6319804b59|access-date=2025-05-24|website=Yahoo News Japan|lang=ja}}
Assuming that the diameters of Hwasong-11C and its 4.5-ton warhead variant are similar, the Hwasong-11C-4.5 appears to be longer than its baseline version, possibly due to the lengthened missile body and heavier warhead.{{Cite web|date=19 September 2024|title=北朝鮮が「火星砲-11タ-4.5」短距離弾道ミサイルの2回目の試射、着弾場所は内陸部|trans-title=North Korea conducts second test-fire of Hwasong-11C-4.5 short-range ballistic missile, landing inland
|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/1896ed3997b40740a16abf15a30d32901e1c16d2|access-date=2025-05-24|website=Yahoo News Japan|lang=ja}}
The description of the {{cvt|320|km|abbr=on}} "medium range" in the 18 September 2024 test suggests a maximum range of {{cvt|640|km|abbr=on}} for this variant.{{Cite web|author=Kim Jong-won|date=2024-10-01
|title=남한 '현무-5' vs 북한 '화성-11다'…'전술핵 위력 초대형 미사일 전쟁'|trans-title=South Korea's 'Hyunmoo-5' vs. North Korea's 'Hwasong-11C'... 'Tactical nuclear power super-large warhead missile war'|url=https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20241001000042|access-date=2025-04-11|website=NewsPim|language=ko}}
=List of tests=
class="wikitable"
! scope="col" |Attempt ! scope="col" |Date (Pyongyang Standard Time) ! scope="col" |Location ! scope="col" |Outcome ! scope="col" |Additional notes |
scope="row" |1
|1 July 2024 |Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province |{{Success}} |North Korea stated that the missile was launched with a simulated 4.5 tons warhead to verify its flight stability and target accuracy at the range of {{cvt|90-500|km|abbr=on}}. The test was carried out by the North Korea's Missile Administration. According to South Korean military officials, the 1 July launch involved two missiles, one of which, possibly the baseline Hwasong-11C, flew {{cvt|120|km|abbr=on}} before exploding and failing inland, and the other flew {{cvt|600|km|abbr=on}}. No apogee information was released, but the missiles possibly achieved {{cvt|100|km|abbr=on}} apogee.{{Cite web |author1=Jonathan McDowell |date=2024-07-25 |title=Jonathan's Space Report No. 835 |url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.835.txt|access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Planet4589.org|language=en}}{{Cite web |author1=Kim Ga-yeon|author2=Kim Mi-geon |date=2024-07-02 |title=N. Korea tests new ballistic missile with super-large 4.5-ton warhead |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2024/07/02/MLOMGOZNOFEYLIR3PP4B3CKZDA/|access-date=2025-02-07 |website=The Chosun Daily|language=en}} North Korea did not publish any photos of the test.{{Cite web |author=Federico Giuliani |date=2024-07-05 |title="Testato l'Hwasong-11C-4.5": cosa sappiamo del misterioso super missile di Kim |trans-title="The test of Hwasong-11C-4.5": What we know about Kim [Jong Un]'s mysterious super missile|url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/difesa/testato-lhwasong-11c-45-cosa-sappiamo-dellultimo-misterioso-2342286.html|access-date=2025-05-24 |website=il Giornale|language=it}} |
---|
2
|18 September 2024 |Kaechon Airport, South Pyongan Province |{{Success}} |Reportedly, the missile was equipped with a 4.5-ton conventional warhead. The test-fire, which was directed by the Missile Administration, was supervised by Kim Jong Un and senior officials. The missile flew {{cvt|320|km|abbr=on}} before hitting an inland target. A "strategic" cruise missile was also launched along with Hwasong-11C-4.5 in this test. According to South Korea, two missiles were launched and flew {{cvt|400|km|abbr=on}}. This test was likely delayed from a scheduled test in July 2024, which was planned to be conducted with a {{cvt|250|km|abbr=on}} range. This is the first time North Korea has released images of Hwasong-11C-4.5. |
See also
- Hwasong-11A (KN-23)
- Hwasong-11D
- Hwasong-11S
- Hyunmoo-4
Notes
{{Notelist|group=efn}}