Missile Hwasong-12

The Hwasong-12 is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile. It was first revealed in April 2017, with the first successful test flight occurring in May 2017. The system is intended to replace the Hwasong-10.

The missile is a single-stage, liquid-fueled system utilizing the Paektusan engine. This engine configuration consists of a single combustion chamber with four vernier engines and is based on the RD-250 design. It uses a hypergolic propellant combination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and dinitrogen tetroxide as an oxidizer. Guidance is provided by an inertial system. The Hwasong-12 is nuclear-capable and can also carry conventional warheads.

Several variants utilize the Hwasong-12 booster. The Hwasong-8 is fitted with a hypersonic glide vehicle and utilizes ampulization, a process where liquid fuel is sealed in the canister to reduce launch preparation time. The Hwasong-12A features a maneuverable reentry vehicle and a shortened booster. A 2022 modified version includes a different engine configuration, an updated thrust-vector control system, and a modified reentry vehicle.

The Korean People's Army Strategic Force is the sole operator of the system. North Korea confirmed the transition to mass production following a quality evaluation test in January 2022. The system has been used in multiple test events, including flight paths over Japanese territory. In August and September 2017, missiles overflew Hokkaido. In October 2022, a modified variant overflew Aomori Prefecture. The United States military designates this system as KN-17.