Hwasong-19
{{Short description|North Korean mobile intercontinental ballistic missile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Hwasong-19
| image =
| origin = North Korea
| type = Intercontinental ballistic missile
| is_missile = Yes
| service = 2024-present
| manufacturer = North Korea
| used_by = Korean People's Army Strategic Force
| filling = Nuclear warhead
MIRV-capable
| weight =
| wingspan =
| length = At least {{cvt|28|m|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|author=Phạm Giang|date=4 November 2024|title=Tên lửa 'mạnh nhất thế giới' có thể giúp Triều Tiên tăng răn đe Mỹ|trans-title='World's most powerful' missile could help North Korea increase US deterrence|url=https://vnexpress.net/ten-lua-manh-nhat-the-gioi-co-the-giup-trieu-tien-tang-ran-de-my-4811139.html|access-date=2025-01-31 |website=VnExpress|language=vi}}
| velocity =
| propellant = solid-fueled (all three stages)
| vehicle_range = At least {{cvt|15,000|km|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|author=Thu Thủy|date=5 November 2024|title=Khám phá tên lửa liên lục địa "mạnh nhất thế giới" Hwasong-19 của Triều Tiên|trans-title=Discovering North Korea's "world's most powerful" intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-19|url=https://viettimes.vn/kham-pha-ten-lua-lien-luc-dia-manh-nhat-the-gioi-hwasong-19-cua-trieu-tien-post179809.html|access-date=2025-01-31|website=VietTimes|language=vi}}
| launch_platform = 11-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL)
}}
The Hwasong-19{{efn|Officially called as Hwasongpho-19.{{Cite web|date=1 November 2024|title=Crucial Test Demonstrating DPRK's Definite Reaction Will and Absolute Superiority of Its Strategic Strike Capability - Test-fire of DPRK's Latest-type ICBM Hwasongpho-19 Successfully Conducted under Guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un |url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/45eb4d20df98d0d8a16cf978c37af8d8.kcmsf |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Korean Central News Agency}}}} ({{Korean|hangul=《화성포-19》형|hanja=火星砲 19型|lit=Mars Artillery Type 19|context=north}}) is a North Korean solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It was first tested on 31 October 2024.
North Korea has claimed the missile to be "perfected" and the world's strongest missile.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Hyung-Jin |last2=Kim |first2=Tong-Hyung|date=1 November 2024|title=North Korea boasts of 'the world's strongest' missile, but experts say it's too big to use in war |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launch-united-states-4173ce128b8336b2cb315a3bf62c6980|access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}
Description
{{External media|float=right|title=Images of the Hwasong-19|headerimage=|image1=[https://img.baobacgiang.vn/Medias/582/2024/11/04/Trieu-Tien-4-6901-1730462955.png Maiden flight]|image2=[http://kcna.kp/siteFiles/photo/202411/PIC0085398.jpg At the "Defence Development-2024" military exhibition]|width=270px}}
Based on the images and information from the 31 October 2024 maiden flight, it was determined that Hwasong-19 is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile, cold-launched on an 11-axle transporter erector launcher.{{Cite web |last=Diepen |first=Vann H. Van |date=5 November 2024 |title=North Korea Tests New Solid ICBM Probably Intended for MIRVs|url=https://www.38north.org/2024/11/north-korea-tests-new-solid-icbm-probably-intended-for-mirvs/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=38 North}}
The Hwasong-19's 11-axle TEL uses a unified hull-cover design. The canister cover is hinged at the bottom and fixed to the hull, while the cover open, it does not fall to the ground and remains connected to the TEL. This design may have been intended to save resources or to serve combat purposes, as well as to camouflage the mobile launcher as not launched to deceive the opponent.
According to 38 North, Hwasong-19 has a longer body and larger diameter than the Hwasong-18, so Hwasong-19 have more solid propellant than its predecessor, therefore, its flight time and apogee increased 13 minutes and {{cvt|1,100|km|abbr=on}}, respectively. Also, due to its increased diameter and heavier payload, Hwasong-19 can accommodate MIRVs made in the 1960s. Its long range, which is estimated to be at least {{cvt|15,000|km|abbr=on}}, allows it to reach targets anywhere in the contiguous United States.
The Hwasong-19's length is estimated to be at least {{cvt|28|m|abbr=on}}, longer than Hwasong-18 and Russia's mobile ICBMs. However, its large size could limit its deployment area and mobility, making it vulnerable to detection by US and South Korean intelligence before it can be fired and making it a priority target for enemy's preemptive strikes.
North Korea planned to use Hwasong-19 along with Hwasong-18 as its "primary core means in defending". It is possible that Hwasong-19 is intended to replace the liquid-fueled Hwasong-17.
History
During a Kim Jong Un's visit in September 2024, North Korea revealed a 12-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL). This suggests the development of a new ICBM larger than previous missiles.{{Cite web |last=Zwirko |first=Colin |date=8 September 2024 |title=North Korea reveals new, larger ICBM under development|url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/09/north-korea-reveals-new-larger-icbm-under-development/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=NK News}}
Hwasong-19 made its public debut on 31 October 2024, with a flight test.{{Cite web |last=Sang-Hun |first=Choe |date=30 October 2024 |title=North Korea, in the Spotlight Over Ukraine, Launches a Long-Range Missile |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/world/asia/north-korea-missile-launch.html|access-date=2025-01-22|website=The New York Times}} North Korea officially confirmed the launch on the same day of the launch. Initially, North Korea did not reveal the missile's official name; it was revealed a day after the test-fire.{{Cite web|date=31 October 2024|title=ICBM Test-fire Conducted in DPRK |url=http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/b3d35ab730b11b9daba5949a3c27e051.kcmsf |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Korean Central News Agency}}
North Korea displayed Hwasong-19 at the "Defence Development-2024" military exhibition, held in late-November 2024.{{Cite web |last=Zwirko |first=Colin |date=22 November 2024|title=Kim Jong Un shows off new drones and ICBMs at arms expo, rejects talks with US|url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/11/kim-jong-un-shows-off-north-koreas-new-drones-largest-icbms-at-weapons-expo/|access-date=2025-01-24 |website=NK News}}{{Cite web|date=25 November 2024|title=From drones to ICBMs, North Korea showcases its might at arms expo|url=https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/1169090.html|access-date=2025-01-24|website=The Hankyoreh}}
List of tests
| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" |Attempt ! scope="col" |Date ! scope="col" |Location ! scope="col" |Pre-launch detection ! scope="col" |Outcome ! scope="col" |Additional notes |
| scope="row" |1
|31 October 2024, 7:11 a.m. Pyongyang Standard Time |Around Pyongyang |South Korean military detected the preparation of the launch the day before, with the placement of missile and setup of the mobile launcher. |{{Success}} |Japanese data shows the ICBM flew for 86 minutes with about {{cvt|1,000|km|abbr=on}} range and over {{cvt|7,000|km|abbr=on}} apogee, landing {{cvt|200|km|abbr=on}} west of Okushiri Island, Hokkaido, Japan.{{Cite web|date=31 October 2024 |title=【お知らせ】北朝鮮のミサイル等関連情報 |trans-title=(Notice) Information related to North Korea's missiles|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2024/10/31f.html |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Japanese Ministry of Defense |language=ja}} According to North Korea, the missile flew for 85 minutes and 56 seconds with {{cvt|1,001.2|km|abbr=on}} range and {{cvt|7,687.5|km|abbr=on}} apogee. The first test of Hwasong-19 broke the apogee record for a North Korean missile test (as of November 2024).{{Cite web |last=Yim |first=Hyunsu |date=1 November 2024 |title=North Korea says record test was new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-says-it-test-fired-latest-icbm-hwasong-19-thursday-yonhap-reports-2024-10-31/|access-date=2025-01-22|website=Reuters}} Kim Jong Un and his daughter oversaw the test. |
|---|
See also
Notes
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