North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missiles: A Look into the Race for Advanced Rockets
North Korea announced on Monday the successful testing of a new solid-fuel hypersonic missile with intermediate range, joining a global race for the development of long-range rockets that are difficult to detect and intercept. The United States, China, Russia, and other countries have also been investing in hypersonic weapons in recent years.
Hypersonic missiles, capable of traveling at over five times the speed of sound or around 6,200 km per hour (3,850 mph), are known for their exceptional maneuverability rather than just their speed. Analysts assert that the main feature of these weapons lies in their ability to maneuver, making interception a challenge.
During North Korea’s initial hypersonic missile test in 2021, a glider-shaped warhead was used. However, a subsequent launch in 2022 surprised military officials and analysts with the deployment of a conical maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV), essentially a ballistic missile warhead with advanced maneuvering capabilities. This time, North Korean state media reported that the latest test aimed to evaluate new multi-stage, high-thrust solid-fuel engines and an intermediate-range hypersonic maneuverable controlled warhead.
One potential breakthrough in the arms race involves combining a glide vehicle with a missile that partially launches it into orbit, referred to as a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS). This combination could provide adversaries with little reaction time and render traditional defense mechanisms ineffective. In contrast, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) follow ballistic trajectories, reaching space but not orbit.
Various countries are leading the charge in the development of hypersonic weapons. China made headlines in 2021 when it launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe before missing its intended target by approximately two dozen miles. Russia had its own success the same year, showcasing the Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile. President Vladimir Putin hailed this missile as part of a new generation of advanced missile systems. Moscow also confirmed the weapon’s successful tests from both a submarine and a frigate, demonstrating its versatility.
The United States, meanwhile, announced in September 2021 that it had conducted a successful test of an air-breathing hypersonic weapon. This type of weapon is capable of sustained flight independent of boosters and can operate within the atmosphere, similar to a cruise missile. This test marked a significant milestone since the last successful test in this class of weapon back in 2013.
For North Korea, securing hypersonic weapons has been a top priority. In a key ruling Workers’ Party meeting in January 2021, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un outlined the importance of hypersonic weapons as one of five main tasks in a five-year plan to enhance the country’s military power. This plan also includes the development of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and a nuclear submarine. North Korea’s first hypersonic missile launch in September 2021 was described as a strategic weapon intended to strengthen its defense capabilities, although South Korean analysts questioned its success.
The latest launch by North Korea involved a hypersonic missile fueled by solid propellants, enabling quicker launches with minimal preparation. Experts speculate that mid- to long-range hypersonic missiles would be particularly useful for targeting Guam while evading the U.S. missile defense system, enhancing North Korea’s regional threat.
The rapid development of hypersonic weapons and fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS) present challenges to existing missile shields and early warning systems. Their high speed and maneuverability make interception increasingly difficult, raising concerns about the future balance of power among countries involved in this arms race.
As North Korea tests its latest hypersonic missile, the global race for advanced long-range rockets continues. As smaller Asian nations aim to develop their own advanced missile systems, they navigate alongside major military powers seeking to maintain or gain a competitive edge. The strategic implications are significant, and the international community will closely monitor further developments in this rapidly evolving field of advanced weaponry.
(Word count: 600)
