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The Hwasong-15 (Korean: 화성 15; lit. Mars-15) is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by North Korea. It had its maiden flight on 28 November 2017, around 3 a.m. local time. It is the first ballistic missile developed by the DPRK that is theoretically capable of reaching all of the United States mainland (including Washington D.C),

North Korea claimed that the missile reached an altitude of 4475 km and traveled 950 km downrange with a flight time of 53 minutes. Based on its trajectory and distance, the missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km (8,100 miles) – more than enough to reach Washington D.C. and the rest of the United States, albeit with a reduced payload according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. In addition, the range covers several of the U.S.’s international allies such as the United Kingdom and France, as well as all of Earth's continents, except South America and most of Antarctica.

Although some experts say that the missile is only capable of firing a light warhead. It is difficult to accurately determine the payload of a warhead simply by looking at it as different warhead casing materials and explosives will have different mass densities, for example metallic based explosives can weigh several times more than organic explosives for the same volume; however the Union of Concerned Scientists, whom it should be noted have neither seen nor physically examined the missile, concluded that equipping the missile with a normal-sized payload would likely reduce the overall range.

It was the first launch after a 10-week break.

Michael Elleman wrote for 38 North on November 29th 2017 that at 13,000km the payload would be 150kg, based on flight data of the test and made conjecture it was reconfigured Hwasong-14 and on November 30th he wrote a subsequent article on 38th North. In the article he admits he asserted the design of the missile and increased the maximum estimate of payload from 150kg to 1,000kg for a range of 13,000km.

The missile’s re-entry vehicle however failed to successfully re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, as according to the Japanese defense minister Itsunori Onodera, the missile broke apart into at least three pieces before crashing into the waters within Japan’s economic exclusion zone.

Design

According to analysts, its first stage has a gimballed two-chambered main engine system, as opposed to the Hwasong-12 and Hwasong-14 which have one fixed main chamber and four gimballed steering vernier thruster chambers. Its first stage booster design is strikingly similar to Titan II missile.

The 9 axle transporter erector vehicle is larger compared to the 8 axle TE of the Hwasong-14. However, just like the Hwasong-14, the launch footage indicates the missile was fired from a fixed launch pad, not from the vehicle.

References

1. ^ "Hwasong-15 ICBM". www.b14643.de.
2. "The New Hwasong-15 ICBM: A Significant Improvement That May be Ready as Early as 2018 - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38north.org. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
3. ^ "N Korea says new missile can hit entire US". 29 November 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
4. "[속보] 북 "신형 ICBM 시험발사 성공"…화성-15형 첫 공개". 29 November 2017. Template:Link language
5. "북, 국가핵무력 완성 선포… "신형 ICBM 화성-15 발사 성공"". 29 November 2017. Template:Link language
6. "North Korea tests 'new long-range missile' capable of striking anywhere in US as Donald Trump says he will 'take care of it'". The Telegraph. 29 November 2017.
7. Chandran, Dan Mangan, Nyshka (28 November 2017). "Latest North Korean ICBM can hit Washington, DC — and much of rest of US".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
8. ^ "North Korea says new ICBM puts U.S. mainland within range of nuclear weapons". 29 November 2017 – via Reuters.
9. "North Korea's latest ICBM has a new name". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
10. "North Korea’s Longest Missile Test Yet - Union of Concerned Scientists". allthingsnuclear.org. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
11. "North Korea ends break in testing with long-range missile launch". Peeblesshire News.
12. http://www.38north.org/2017/11/melleman112917/
13. http://www.38north.org/2017/11/melleman113017/?platform=hootsuite
14. Ltd, Australian News Channel Pty. "North Korea announces successful missile test".
15. CNN, James Griffiths,. "North Korea's new Hwasong-15 missile: What the photos show". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. Ashok, India (2017-11-30). "New North Korea ICBM photos show Kim Jong-un celebrating but is the giant missile nuclear capable?". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
17. "Hwasong-15 ICBM November 29, 2017".
18. Lewis, Jeffrey (29 November 2017). "The missile checkout before the launch was done at the March 16 Factory, which Kim Jong Un visited early in November. This is probably where North Korea manufactures the 9-axle TEL. 1/https://twitter.com/ArmsControlWonk/status/926811432603099136 …". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 247 (help)
19. Majumdar, Dave. "Hwasong-15: North Korea's New Missile That Shocked the World". The National Interest.
20. Dempsey, Joseph (29 November 2017). "9 axles indicated for Hwasong-15 TEL - #NorthKorea has previous utilised an 8 axle TEL derived from #China origin WS51200 trucks for their tested and untested ICBM designs.pic.twitter.com/SLcuC2T3Tk".

• Current events from November 2017
• Ballistic missiles of North Korea
• Intercontinental ballistic missiles