KN-18
| KN-18 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Short-range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | North Korea |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Korean People's Army Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2017 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11.5–11.9 m (38–39 ft) |
| Warhead | Maneuverable reentry vehicle Possibly nuclear-capable |
Operational range | 450 km (280 mi) or more |
| Accuracy | 7 m (23 ft) CEP |
Launch platform | Tracked TEL |
The KN-18 is the designation given by the United States government to a North Korean short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), whose official designation is unknown. The missile was first tested on 29 May 2017.
Description
[edit]| Images of the KN-18 | |
|---|---|
 At the 15 April 2017 military parade | |
| May 2017 test |
The KN-18 is a variant of Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) with terminal maneuverability. Initially, the KN-18 was assessed as an anti-ship ballistic missile, but it is incorrect.[1][2][3] Other sources claimed the KN-18 to be a variant of Hwasong-5 (Scud-B).[4][5] Based from images, the missile's estimated length is judged to be about 11.5–11.9 m (38–39 ft).[6]
The missile utilizes a liquid-fueled Scud booster and is equipped with a separable and maneuverable warhead. After engine burnout, the KN-18's warhead adjusts its trajectory to precisely strike the target. The missile's circular error probable is 7 m (23 ft), according to North Korean state media. The KN-18 has a range of 450 km (280 mi), based on information released after the first and only test-fire. The KN-18's launcher is a tracked chassis. Along with the maneuverable reentry vehicle, the KN-18 appears to be possibly nuclear-capable.[7][8]
History
[edit]The KN-18 was first displayed during a military parade on 15 April 2017 commemorating the 105th birthday of the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Initially, the missile was designated by the United States as KN-17, but this designation was later used for Hwasong-12, an intermediate-range ballistic missile that had a successful test flight on 14 May 2017.[7][9]
The KN-18's maiden test-flight occurred on 29 May 2017.[7][10] After the test-fire, United States designated the missile as KN-18.[11]
North Korea has never disclosed KN-18's official designation. It is not known whether the KN-18 is in production, and it is also possible that the KN-18 is superseded by newer solid-fueled SRBMs.[5][8]
List of tests
[edit]There has been one known test so far:
| Attempt | Date (Pyongyang Standard Time) | Location | Outcome | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 May 2017 | Kalma Airport, Wonsan[12] | Success | The missile flew for 9 minutes, achieved 450 km (280 mi) range and 120 km (75 mi) apogee.[12] The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un.[13] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Ankit Panda (14 September 2017). "Introducing the KN21, North Korea's New Take on its Oldest Ballistic Missile". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ Scott LaFoy (31 July 2017). "The More You KN-0w About North Korean Missiles". Arms Control Wonk. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ Thành Đạt (16 September 2017). "Triều Tiên bí mật nâng cấp tên lửa cũ khủng khiếp hơn" [North Korea secretly upgraded old missiles to be more terrifying]. Dân trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Vann H. Van Diepen; Daniel R. Depetris (5 September 2019). "Putting North Korea's New Short-Range Missiles Into Perspective". 38 North. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "The Soviet "Scud" missile family". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 18 June 2025. For details of KN-18's length, see this image.
- ^ a b c "KN-18 (Scud MaRV)". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 21 April 2022. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "KN-18". Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ Ankit Panda (30 May 2017). "North Korea Introduces a New 'Ultra-Precision' Scud Missile Variant: First Takeaways". The Diplomat. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ Michael Elleman (9 October 2019). "North Korea's New Short-Range Missiles: A Technical Evaluation". 38 North. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Guides Ballistic Rocket Test-Fire through Precision Control Guidance System". Korean Central News Agency. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
