Hwasong-16B#MaRV variant

{{External media|float=right|title=Images of the Hwasong-16B|headerimage=|image1=[https://image.viettimes.vn/w800/Uploaded/2025/bpcivpwi/2025_01_08/hwasong-16b-trong-thung-5490-3907.png 7-axle TEL]|image2=[https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/2024/04/kctv-apr3-2024-kju-hwasong-16b-hs16b-solid-fuel-hypersonic-hgv-irbm-missile-test-launch-54-hgv-nose-shape-fire.jpg Launch of the missile]|width=250px}}

Hwasong-16B is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile. It is launched from a seven-axle wheeled transporter erector launcher (TEL). 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.{{cite web|date=5 April 2024|author=Vann H. Van Diepen|url=https://www.38north.org/2024/04/second-flight-of-north-koreas-solid-irbm-also-second-flight-of-hgv/|title=Second Flight of North Korea’s Solid IRBM Also Second Flight of HGV|website=38 North|access-date=2025-01-31}}

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.{{Cite web|date=7 January 2025|title=DPRK Missile Administration Succeeds in Test-fire of New-type Intermediate-range Hypersonic Ballistic Missile|url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/0e333077f3ca892b65f0abad00e47aef.kcmsf|access-date=2025-01-07|website=Korean Central News Agency}} If the Hwasong-16B's range reaches {{cvt|6000|km|abbr=on}}, 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 {{cvt|8000|km|abbr=on}} range and become an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).{{Cite web|author=Thu Thủy|date=8 January 2025|title=Khám phá tên lửa tầm trung siêu thanh Hwasong-16B Triều Tiên vừa phóng thử nghiệm|trans-title=Discovering the Hwasong-16B hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile that North Korea has just tested|url=https://viettimes.vn/kham-pha-ten-lua-tam-trung-sieu-thanh-hwasong-16b-trieu-tien-vua-phong-thu-nghiem-post181736.html|access-date=2025-01-31|website=VietTimes|language=vi}}

Data from test-fires showed that the missile reached a maximum speed of {{cvt|12|Mach|km/h|abbr=on}}. However, the estimated maximum speed of Hwasong-16B is {{cvt|15-18|Mach|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|author=Min Dae-ho|date=3 April 2024|title="北, 절대 요격 어려운 극초음속미사일 성공"…美 방처체계 '구멍'|trans-title="North Korea succeeds in launching hypersonic missile that is absolutely difficult to intercept"... 'Holes' in US defense system|url=https://www.koreareport.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21212|access-date=2025-02-05|website=Korea Report|language=ko}}

A parade on 10 October 2020 unveiled the existence of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 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.{{Cite journal |last=Xu |first=Tianran |date=18 October 2021 |title=Brief on the Defense Development Exhibition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404145820if_/https://oneearthfuture.org/file/2622/download?token=OSeaZusF#page=16&zoom=100,80,116 |journal=Open Nuclear Network |pages=7}}

In November 2023, North Korea announced static ground tests of rocket motors for a solid-fueled IRBM.{{Cite web|date=15 November 2023|title=New IRBM Solid-fuel Engine Test Conducted in DPRK|url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/9be8fa69b14fd38943a9d1296a98d2ae.kcmsf|access-date=2025-01-05|website=Korean Central News Agency}}

After the January test with MaRV version, on 19 March 2024, Kim Jong Un oversaw an initial solid-fuel engine test in preparation for another launch.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=Hwasong-16B Glide Vehicle |url=https://tippinsights.com/hwasong-16b-glide-vehicle/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=tippinsights |language=en}} Hwasong-16B officially made its public debut on 2 April 2024, with a flight test. This launch was made with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) payload akin to the one mounted on the Hwasong-8.

Another Hwasong-16B was test-fired on 6 January 2025. North Korea called the missile as "new-type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile" without mentioning official name.{{Cite web |last=Hyonhee |first=Shin |date=2025-01-07 |title=North Korea successfully tests new intermediate-range missile, state media says|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-confirms-mondays-launch-new-hypersonic-missile-yonhap-says-2025-01-06/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Reuters}} The missile seen in the January 2025 test is identical to the Hwasong-16B missile tested in April 2024.{{Cite web|author=Vann H. Van Diepen|date=2025-01-09 |title=Half A Loaf: Third Hwasong-16 Solid IRBM Test Shows Booster is Ready but HGV Payload Needs Work|url=https://www.38north.org/2025/01/half-a-loaf-third-hwasong-16-solid-irbm-test-shows-booster-is-ready-but-hgv-payload-needs-work/|access-date=2025-01-10 |website=38 North |language=en}}

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 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".

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.

{{main|Hwasong-16A}}

Prior to the April 2024 test of Hwasong-16B with hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), in January 2024, a variant of Hwasong-16B with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) was tested. The official name of this variant may be Hwasong-16A, but it remains unconfirmed.{{Cite web|date=3 April 2024|title=北朝鮮が中距離級の極超音速滑空ミサイル「火星16ナ（火星16B）」の発射試験に成功|trans-title=North Korea successfully test-fires medium-range hypersonic glide missile Hwasong-16Na (Hwasong-16B)|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/2c51f47c9b88cb0fbf77702ae296730b139e9615|access-date=2025-01-05|website=Yahoo News Japan|lang=ja}}{{Cite web|title=North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024|url=https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/rbul_a_2365013_t0001_full.pdf|access-date=2025-01-05|website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|language=en}}

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 (MIRVs). 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.{{Cite web|date=27 June 2024|title=DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test of New Important Technology |url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/a928cbd42dc706a7eb86dad84dde10d4.kcmsf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240729130138/http://www.kcna.kp/en/article/q/a928cbd42dc706a7eb86dad84dde10d4.kcmsf |archive-date=2024-07-29 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Korean Central News Agency}} According to South Korea and Japan, the missile flew {{cvt|250|km|abbr=on}} with an apogee of {{cvt|100|km|abbr=on}}, failed to release any warhead and exploded in midair before falling into Sea of Japan.{{Cite web|date=2 July 2024|author=Vann H. Van Diepen|title=North Korea Reveals a Multiple-warhead Payload in Probable Failed Test|url=https://www.38north.org/2024/07/north-korea-reveals-a-multiple-warhead-payload-in-probable-failed-test/|access-date=2025-02-07|website=38 North|language=en}}{{Cite web|author=Colin Zwirko|date=27 June 2024|title=North Korea says it successfully tested multiple warhead missile system|url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/06/north-korea-says-it-successfully-conducted-multiple-warhead-missile-test/|access-date=2025-01-15 |website=NK News}}

The nose cone of the MIRV test vehicle resembling that of Hwasong-17.

• Hwasong-12B
• Hwasong-18
• DF-26
• DF-ZF
• RSD-10
• Agni-III

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{{DPRK missiles}}

Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles of North Korea

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2020s

Category:2024 in North Korea