On May 21, North Korea carried out second successful flight test of its KN-15 medium-range solid-fuel missile. The missile was launched from the country of Pukchang, flying 500 km eastward, climbing to an altitude of 560 km before falling into the sea, a similar trajectory to its previous test on February 12, 2017. The test represents North Korea’s growing abilities in the use of solid-fuel.

In the days following the test, North Korea Kim Jong Un stated his confidence in the KN-15 system, reportedly saying “Now that its tactical and technical data met the requirements of the Party, this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way.”

U.S. analysts, however, have raised doubts about the missile’s readiness for production after only two flight tests.