Missile threats facing both the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific are increasing in complexity, number, and source. In response, the Trump administration is using missile defenses to boost military capability and signal resolve, as indicated by the deployment of THAAD to South Korea...
On May 28, North Korea test-fired at least one Scud-type, short-range ballistic missile. Photographs released by North Korea confirm the missile to be a KN-18, a single-stage, liquid fueled Scud variant. The missile was launched from near Wonsan Airfield in eastern North Korea, reached an altitude of 120 km, and flew approximately 450 km before landing...
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...
On May 14, North Korea test-fired a new intermediate range missile, the Hwasong-12. The missile flew on a lofted trajectory a distance of 787 kilometers, to an altitude of 2,111 kilometers. It is estimated that the Hwasong-12 could have a maximum range of up to 4,500 kilomters. The missile was transported on a vehicle previously...
On May 1, 2017, U.S. officials declared that the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea has reached initial operational capability. According to Col. Robert Manning III, a spokesman for the United States Forces Korea, the system “is operational and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles.” The South Korean Defense Ministry echoed Manning’s...
Note: Later information has revealed that the KN-17 refers to the Hwasong-12, not the Scud-variant as previously believed. On April 29, North Korea test-fired another KN-17 short-range ballistic missile. According to the South Korean military, the missile traveled approximately 34 km and reached an altitude of about 70 km before disintegrating. The launch constitutes North...
According to ROK military officials, South Korea is in the final stage of developing its low-tier missile defense system. The development of South Korea’s Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (M-SAM) comes soon after successful testing and is one component of South Korea’s Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. The system will undergo a final evaluation next month in...
The following database provides a chronology of North Korea missile launches and nuclear detonations, also reflected in the graphics above. These entries include full flight tests of ballistic and cruise missiles...
This past weekend, North Korea conducted a major military parade, an annual affair to commemorate the birth of Kim Il-sung. The event included the conspicuous display of many missiles and artillery pieces, which together demonstrate the nation’s firm intent to develop new and longer-range capabilities, as well as its overall reliance upon such military forces....
Note: Later information has revealed that the KN-17 refers to the Hwasong-12, not the Scud-variant as previously believed. On April 16, North Korea conducted a test of a new ballistic missile that blew up seconds after launch. U.S. officials say that the missile, dubbed the KN-17, is a single-stage, liquid-fueled Scud or No Dong variant with...
