The NHK-1 (Nike Hercules Korea 1) was a short-range, solid-fueled ballistic missile. It was reverse-engineered from the U.S. MIM-14 Nike Hercules, from which it derives its name. The NHK-1 was the first ballistic missile indigenously produced in South Korea. It had a range of 180 km.
NHK-1 at a Glance
Originated from: South Korea, United States
Possessed by: South Korea
Alternative names: K-1, Baekgom-1, Paekkom-1 (‘white bear’)
Class: Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
Basing: Road-mobile
Length: 12.2-12.5 m
Diameter: 0.8 m
Launch weight: 5,400 kg
Payload: Unitary warhead, 500 kg
Warhead: High explosive (HE)
Propulsion: Two-stage solid propellant
Range: 180 km
Status: Obsolete
In service: 1978-1987
NHK-1 Development
Starting in the early 1970s, South Korea (ROK) began development of a short-range ballistic missile program aimed at countering the North Korean threat.1 In 1972, South Korea obtained U.S. permission to reverse-engineer a U.S. MIM-14 Nike Hercules surface-to-air missile. The state-owned Agency for Defense Development successfully did so in 1975.2 After several modifications, the resulting surface-to-surface missile was designated the NHK-1, also commonly referred to as Baekgom (translation: “white bear”).3
After three failed missile tests, South Korea successfully test fired the missile in September 1978.4
Specifications
The NHK-1 had a length of over 12 m, a diameter of 0.8 m, and a launch weight of approximately 5,400 kg. The missile was solid-fueled, two-staged, with a range of 180 km while carrying a 500 kg high explosive warhead.5
Service History
The NHK-1 missile was prepared to enter operational service in 1978, but was never deployed at the request of the United States, likely due to arms control and regional proliferation concerns. 6 It was replaced by the NHK-2/Hyunmoo-1 SRBM.