Larger and blunter warhead… North Korea unveils launch of new ICBM 'Hwasong-19' / Yonhap News
Larger and Blunter Warhead… North Korea Reveals Launch of New ICBM 'Hwasong-19'
(Seoul = Yonhap News) North Korea announced on the 1st that it had successfully test-fired its latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the 'Hwasongpo-19'.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 1st that the North Korean Missile General Bureau successfully test-fired the latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the morning of the 31st of last month under the guidance of Chairman Kim Jong Un.
After Chairman Kim approved the 'test launch of the latest strategic weapon' on-site, General Jang Chang-ha, Director of the Missile General Bureau, issued the launch order to the 2nd Red Flag Unit.
According to reports, the Hwasongpo-19 ascended to a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km, flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for 5,156 seconds (85.9 minutes), and landed in the designated target area in international waters of the East Sea. Both the peak altitude and flight duration are the highest records among North Korea's previous ICBM test launches. Given that it had the longest flight time and the highest peak altitude, it is possible to estimate that the Hwasong-19 has a longer range or a larger warhead weight than existing ICBMs.
According to the released photos, North Korea launched the Hwasong-19 using an 11-axis mobile launcher (TEL).
Its overall shape is longer than that of the Hwasong-18, which is fired from a 9-axis TEL.
Judging by the color and shape of the flames, it is presumed to use a solid-fuel system, similar to the Hwasong-18, which allows for rapid launch preparation.
It is noticeable that the warhead section is much blunter than that of the Hwasong-18; this is presumed to be an intention to implement multiple warheads to enhance the ICBM's destructive power.
Chairman Kim's daughter, Ju-ae, accompanied the group during the test launch on this day. Produced by: Kim Hae-yeon, Kim Hye-won
Video: Korean Central Television
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