North Korea's Hwasong-15 missile may use solid fuel

The Hwasong-15 ballistic missile may use a new engine, along with the ability to use solid fuel to shorten deployment time.

Hwasong-15 missile leaves the launch pad. Photo: KCNA.

North Korea unexpectedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the morning of November 29.Hwasong-15. Experts say the Hwasong-15 missile has many improved features compared to its predecessors, demonstrating the rapid development of Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs, according toNational Interest.

"The Hwasong-15 appears to be powered by a new engine, but it could also be the same engine used before. It does not use auxiliary engines to adjust the flight direction like the Hwasong-12 and Hwasong-14 models, but appears to be equipped with two engine exhausts similar to the Hwasong-13 (KN-08) version. However, the engine configuration this time is still very different," said analyst Scott Lafoy.

T/E vehicle sets up the missile on the launch pad. Photo: KCNA.

The Hwasong-15 missile was transported to the launch site on a truck that has previously transported larger missiles. This is believed to be an improved version of the Chinese-made WS51200 timber truck, equipped with a ninth drive axle and designated a “9-axle self-propelled launcher.”

Expert Lafoy emphasized that this is not a transporter and launcher (TEL), but only a transporter and erector (T/E), which has the function of transporting and moving missiles to the launch position. "The T/E has to maneuver to the launch pad, erect the missile and leave, making the deployment and launch time longer than the TEL. This makes a big difference in war, when the US-ROK coalition can attack the launch pad area in a short time," Mr. Lafoy commented.

"North Korea claims that the Hwasong-15's engines have greater thrust, but it does not specify whether it is the first, second, or both stages. If this claim is accurate, this can be considered a version of the Hwasong-14 with increased size and thrust, different enough to be given a new designation," said Associate Professor Vipin Narang at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The power of the Hwasong-15 missile.

Some experts believe that the Hwasong-15 missile uses solid fuel, which significantly shortens the deployment time and expands the launch area. This may compensate for the increased time due to the use of a T/E vehicle instead of a TEL.

This assessment is reinforced by the fact that US and Japanese satellites did not detect unusual activity at North Korea’s launch sites before the Hwasong-15 test. If liquid fuel is used, the missile would take a long time to fuel before launch, making it much more likely to be detected by Western satellites.

The Hwasong-15’s estimated range of 13,000 km means it can threaten the entire continental United States. While that range could be reduced by 20-30% when carrying a heavy nuclear warhead, the Hwasong-15 still demonstrates its ability to threaten major targets such as New York City and Washington DC. That gives North Korea an advantage in future negotiations with the United States, Narang stressed.

According to VNE