Pukguksong-5
| Pukguksong-5 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submarine-launched ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  North Korea |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2021 |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| No. built | 5 prototypes |
| Specifications | |
| Length | About 10.5–11.6 m (34–38 ft) |
| Width | About 1.8–2.1 m (5.9–6.9 ft) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead MIRV-capable (unconfirmed) |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | About 3,000–5,000 km (1,900–3,100 mi) (estimated) |
Launch platform | submersible barge, submarine (planned) |
The Pukguksong-5[a] (Korean: 북극성-5; lit. Polaris 5) is a North Korean two-stage, solid-fueled submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
Description
[edit]| Images of the Pukguksong-5 | |
|---|---|
 At the 14 January 2021 military parade |
Pukguksong-5 is a two-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile. It is significantly increased in size compared to the Pukguksong-4,[3] with an estimated length and diameter of about 11.6 m and about 2.1 m, respectively.[2] Another source give an estimated length and diameter of 10.5 m and 1.8 m. Compared with Pukguksong-3 and Pukguksong-4, Pukguksong-5 have a pointed, elongated nose cone.[4][5]
German expert Norbert Brügge claimed the Pukguksong-5 to be a silo-based missile.[6]
Pukguksong-5 is alleged to have greater range and heavier payload.[3] The operational range of Pukguksong-5 is assumed to be from about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) to 4,000–5,000 km (2,500–3,100 mi),[4][5][7] allowing North Korea submarines to threaten Guam while operating in the Sea of Japan, not far from the North Korean coast. The range is claimed to be a result of the backwardness in design, manufacturing technology and solid propellants.[4][5] It is possible that Pukguksong-5 is capable of carrying muliple warheads.[8]
The Pukguksong-5's first stage is possibly identical to Pukguksong-3 and Pukguksong-4.[9]
History
[edit]Pukguksong-5 made its public debut in a military parade on 14 January 2021. Four Pukguksong-5 missiles were placed on 6-axle wheeled semi-trailers. At the time of debut, North Korea claimed Pukguksong-5 to be "the world's most powerful weapon”.[3][10] The appearance of yet another untested missile likely indicates North Korea is still in the process of finalizing on a specific SLBM design.[4][11] These missiles were assessed to be non-operational mock-ups.[12]
North Korea displayed Pukguksong-5 along with Pukguksong-1 and then-unnamed Hwasong-11S during "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition, held in October 2021.[13]
According to Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, a solid-fueled engine, which was tested in December 2022 and produced 140 tons of thrust, could be the engine of Pukguksong-5.[14]
It is possible that Pukguksong-5 remains just a paper project.[4]
List of tests
[edit]There have been no known test for Pukguksong-5 so far.
An alleged flight test was occurred on 19 October 2021. Initially, the missile used for the test-fire was supposed to be some types of SLBMs, including Pukguksong-5.[15][16] Later, the missile used in the 19 October 2021 launch was judged to be Hwasong-11S, an underwater-launched variant of Hwasong-11A (KN-23) missile.[17]
Notes
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hòa Bình (7 September 2021). "Mỹ-Hàn tuyên bố đang theo dõi chặt cuộc duyệt binh của quân đội Triều Tiên" [US and South Korea say they are closely monitoring North Korea's military parade]. Báo Giao Thông (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b Tianran Xu (25 July 2022). "Emerging Capabilities? The Unflown SLBMs of the DPRK" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "S/2021/211" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Michael Elleman (15 January 2021). "North Korea's Newest Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile, Same as the Old One". 38 North. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Vũ Anh (18 January 2021). "Tên lửa có thể giúp tàu ngầm Triều Tiên đe dọa đảo Guam" [Missiles could help North Korean submarines threaten Guam]. VnExpress (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Norbert Brügge. "Pukguksong-4 and -5". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "[분석] "북한 신형 SLBM, 미국 가까이 안 가고도 미 본토 핵공격"" [[Analysis] "North Korea's new SLBM can strike the US mainland without going near the US"]. NewsPim (in Korean). 27 April 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
북극성-5ㅅ형은 4000~5000km (The range of Pukguksong-5S is 4,000-5,000km)
- ^ "North Korean nuclear forces (2021)" (PDF). Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ H. I. Sutton (15 January 2021). "New North Korean Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile". H I Sutton - Covert Shores. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ William Gallo (15 January 2021). "North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Missile at Military Parade". Voice of America. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (15 January 2021). "North Korea unveils Pukguksong-5 SLBM at military parade". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021.
- ^ "S/2021/777" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "Brief on the Defence Development Exhibition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "북한의 '고출력 고체 로켓엔진' 개발의 꿈···단거리서 중장거리로" [North Korea's dream of developing a 'high-power solid rocket engine'... From short-range to medium- and long-range]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). 16 December 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Minh Hạnh (19 October 2021). "Triều Tiên phóng thử tên lửa đạn đạo từ tàu ngầm?" [North Korea test-launched ballistic missile from submarine?]. Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Daehan Lee (19 October 2021). "North Korea Fires Possible Pukguksong-5ㅅ SLBM". Naval News. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 25 January 2025.