North Korea Tests New Missile; WNM Looks at Hwasong-18 in 3D

On 12 July, North Korea tested its first solid-fueled Hwasong-18 missile.  According to the statement published by Rodong Sinmun (official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of [North] Korea), it flew 1,001.2 km and reached the altitude of 6,648.4 km. The statement also indicated that the missile consisted of three stages; the standard flight method was used for the first stage, while the second and third stages were set to the highly lofted trajectory.

The first test of the missile of this kind took place in April.

In 2022, North Korea tested its liquid-fueled ‘Monster Missile’ Hwasong-17, the biggest ICBM in its arsenal.

WNM did a 3D comparison of these two most advanced missiles in North Korea’s arsenal.

The comparison shows a clear progress by North Korea in the development of its ballistic capabilities. There is no information on what kind ofngine is used in the new rocket and what are its real capabilities. However, North Korea is now one step closer to launching its increasingly powerful ballistic missiles faster and more discreetly.