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)
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