All About North Korea’s ICBM Launch That Could Reach ‘All of US’

Hwasong-15 has range of more than 13,000 km, which means that the entire US West Coast is within its reach.

North Korea tests another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: The Quint)

North Korea said on Wednesday it had successfully tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), called Hwasong-15, that could reach all of the US mainland.

In a broadcast on state TV, North Korea said the newly developed Hwasong-15 has "much greater advantages in its tactical and technological specifications and technical characteristics" than its Hwasong-14 ICBM, tested twice in July.

Analysts and officials are awaiting the release of photos and video from the launch to identify what differences there may be between the Hwasong-15 and previous North Korean missiles.

US West Coast In Range, But Can It Carry a Warhead?

The missile was fired on a steep trajectory and flew for 53 minutes, North Korea said. It reached an altitude of 4,475 km (2,780 miles) and flew 950 km (590 miles), according to the North.

If [today’s] numbers are correct, then if flown on a standard trajectory rather than this lofted trajectory, this missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km [8,100 miles].

US-based Union of Concerned Scientists

On 4 July, North Korea launched its first ICBM, Hwasong-14, which reached an altitude of 2,802 km (1,741 miles) and a range of 933 km (580 miles) during a flight of 39 minutes, North Korea's state media reported.

The second flight showed the missile has a range of more than 10,000 km (6,213 miles), potentially putting the US West Coast within range, analysts have said.

After Wednesday's test, Kim declared:

With the Hwasong-15, North Korea had finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.

Kim jong-Un, Supreme Leader, DPRK

That would suggest that all of the continental United States including Washington DC and New York could be theoretically within range of a North Korean missile.

International observers, however, said it remains unclear how heavy a payload the missile was carrying, and if it could carry a large nuclear warhead far enough to strike the United States.

It also remains unclear whether the North Koreans have perfected a re-entry vehicle capable of protecting a nuclear warhead during its descent.

Clandestine Night-Time Launch

North Korea launched the missile from Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, about 30 km (18 miles) north of its capital, Pyongyang – the first time a missile was fired from this location.

Unlike many other tests that historically occur in the early mornings, Wednesday's launch occurred in the middle of the night in Korea, at around 2:28 am.

The test is unusual in that it was conducted in the dead of night, perhaps reflecting North Korean concerns about avoiding a US ballistic missile defence intercept. 

US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies

This provides more realistic tests and makes it more difficult for other countries to predict and possibly intercept a launch.

The previous two ICBM tests in July were launched from Panghyon airfield in North Pyongan Province, and in Mupyong-ni, Chagang Province, respectively.

(This article is published in an association with Reuters)