Hwasong-10

Description

Hwasong-10 is a missile that is based on R-27 Zyb submarine-launched ballistic missile, but is slightly longer. It used a hypergolic combination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) as oxidizer, which is similar to the liquid-fueled 4D10 engine of R-27. These propellants are much more advanced than the kerosene compounds used in North Korea's Scud and Hwasong-7 (Nodong) missiles. Once the fuel/oxidizer combination are fed into the missile, it could maintain a 'ready to launch' condition for several days, or even weeks, like the R-27 SLBM, in moderate ambient temperatures. A fueled Hwasong-10 would not have the structural strength to be safely land-transported, so the missile would have to be fueled at the launch site.

It was originally believed that the rocket motors of Hwasong-10 were the same as those within the second stage of the Taepodong-2, which North Korea unsuccessfully test fired in 2006. However analysis of the Unha-3 launch, believed to be based on the Taepodong-2, showed that the second stage did not use the same fuel as the R-27, and is probably based on Hwasong-7 rocket technology.

Before its test flight, it was believed that there was a possibility that the Hwasong-10 would use the Nodong's kerosene and corrosion inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) propellants, reducing the missile's range by about half. However, it is unlikely that North Korea uses IRFNA propellants which would reduce its range by about half, after the experts acknowledged that the 22 June 2016 test could have had a range of 3150 km if the missile was not launched in the lofted trajectory.

It was also decided that, as the Korean People's Army's MAZ-547A/MAZ-7916 transporter erector launcher could carry 20 tonnes, and the R-27 Zyb was only 14.2 tonnes, the R-27 Zyb's fuel/oxidizer tank could be extended by approximately 2 m.

The Hwasong-10's estimated range is 2500-4000 km. Assuming a range of 3200 km, the Hwasong-10 could hit any target in East Asia (including US military bases in Guam and Okinawa). The North Korean inventory of the missile is less than 50 launchers.

The missile has a circular error probable of 1600 m and is capable of carrying a 500-1200 kg warhead. Warhead can be high-explosive fragmentation, cluster, nuclear or chemical.

Naming

Hwasong-10 is also known as Musudan (), named after a village near where North Korea test-fires missile. The missile also has several external names, including BM-25, KN-07, Mirim and Nodong-B.

History

In the mid-1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea invited the Makeyev Design Bureau's ballistic missile designers and engineers to develop this missile, based on the R-27 Zyb. In 1992, a large contract between Korea Yon’gwang Trading Company and Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau of Miass, Russia was signed. The agreement stated that Russian engineers would go to the DPRK and assist in the development of the Zyb Space Launch Vehicle (SLV).

Hwasong-10 was first revealed to the international community at a military parade on 10 October 2010 celebrating the Workers' Party of Korea's 65th anniversary, although experts believe these were mock-ups of the missile.

In April 2013, North Korea was reported to deploy two Hwasong-10 missiles to Wonsan in preparation for a test-fire. Two moblie launchers were reported to continuously moved in and out of a facility. Four to five wheeled vehicles, appear to be TELs, were also spotted to travel around South Hamgyong Province. These actions aimed at making difficult to US and South Korea. A month later, North Korea removed two missiles from launchers.

Since April 2016, the Hwasong-10 has been tested a number of times, with two apparent partial successes and a number of failures. In May 2017, North Korea successfully tested a new missile, the Hwasong-12, with a similar range to the Hwasong-10. It had been displayed in the April 2017 military parade on the Hwasong-10 mobile launcher, and the Hwasong-12 may be intended to replace the Hwasong-10 which has been shown unreliable during its test programme.

In an interview for Difesa Online, a military-focused website, on 27 November 2017, German analyst Norbert Brügge claimed that Hwasong-10, along with Hwasong-13, was likely cancelled due to unresolved engine problems. The Hwasong-10 was not shown in the February 2018 military parade, suggesting that the design had not been deployed. However, in 2020, according to United States intelligence, Hwasong-10 was still classified as deployed.

List of Hwasong-10 tests

Operators

Current operators

• North Korea: According to one source, more than 200; other source claims 12 deployed. 16 were seen at once during the 10 October 2010 military parade, although experts contacted by the Washington Post believed these were mock-ups of the missile. In 2020, according to United States intelligence, North Korea has fewer than 50 Hwasong-10 launchers.

Suspected operators

• Iran: 19, according to a leaked, classified U.S. State Department cable. The Khorramshahr, which was first publicly displayed on 22 September 2017, is likely derived from Hwasong-10.

References

References

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37. William J. Broad. (28 November 2010). "Iran Fortifies Its Arsenal With the Aid of North Korea". The New York Times.
38. (2017-09-29). "Khorramshahr".