Hwasong-7
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox weapon The Hwasong-7Template:SfnTemplate:Efn (Template:Korean) is a single-stage, mobile liquid propellant medium-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. Developed in the mid-1980s, it is a scaled-up adaptation of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missiles, more commonly known by its NATO reporting name "Scud". The inventory is estimated to be around 200–300 missiles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017 fewer than 100 launchers were operationally deployed.Template:Sfn
It influenced the design of Pakistan's Ghauri-1 missile,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as well as the Iranian Shahab-3.<ref name="nkinb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=usdod01>Template:Cite book</ref>
OverviewEdit
It is believed North Korea obtained R-17 designs from Egypt, and possibly modified designs from China, allowing them to reverse-engineer them into a larger and longer-distance weapon. United States reconnaissance satellites first detected this type in May 1990 at the Musudan-ri test launch facility, in northeastern North Korea.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The precise capabilities and specifications of the missile are unknown; even the fact of its production and deployment are controversial. It is a larger variant of the R-17, scaled up so its cross-sectional area is about doubled, with a diameter of Template:Convert and a length of Template:Convert.<ref name=rand-2012/>
Its aerodynamic design is stable, reducing the need for modern active stabilization systems while the missile is flying in the denser lower atmosphere. It can only be fueled when vertical, therefore it cannot be fueled before transport as is normal for modern missiles.<ref name=rand-2012/> Its range is estimated as Template:Cvt with a Template:Cvt payload<ref name=rand-2012/> to Template:Cvt.<ref name=ArmsControlCenterRodong/>
It has an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of Template:Cvt.<ref name=schilling-2015>Template:Cite report</ref> With GPS guidance, accuracy is believed to be between Template:Convert and Template:Convert.<ref name="FAS" /> North Korea is believed to possess some 300 Hwasong-7 missiles and fewer than 50 mobile launchers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
The Hwasong-7's technology has been exported to foreign nations (such as Iran and Pakistan) in secrecy on the basis of mutual exchange of technologies, with Iran being one of the largest beneficiaries of such technology. Successful variants were tested and deployed by Iran after developing the Shahab-3 which is roughly based on Hwasong-7.<ref name="nkinb" />Template:Sfn Some press reports (including The Sunday Telegraph, Jerusalem Post, and Janes) claimed that Libya signed a contract for a total of 50 Nodong systems in October 1999, with the first batch delivered in July 2000, however such rumors proved to be false when Libya voluntarily dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs in December 2003 and invited foreign inspectors to verify the disarmament process. In that same year, US inspectors learned that Iraq attempted to buy Nodong missiles, but the North Koreans never delivered the missiles and refused to refund the $10 million down payment.Template:Sfn
North Korea test-fired Hwasong-7 missiles in 2006 and 2014, in which North Korea fires two missiles that flew Template:Cvt.<ref name=bbc-20140326>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=nyt-20140325>Template:Cite news</ref>
Although it has an estimated range of Template:Convert, launches in March 2014 flew only Template:Convert. Their range was shortened by firing at a higher launch angle. The missiles flew to an altitude of 160 km (100 mi) at Template:Cvt. U.S. and South Korean Patriot PAC-2/3 interceptors are more specialized to hit ballistic missiles up to Template:Cvt.<ref name=Yonhap160km/>
On 5 September 2016, North Korea fired three missiles into the Sea of Japan, these missiles achieved about Template:Convert range. Initially, these missiles were believed to be Hwasong-7,<ref name="CNN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> however, the actual missiles used for this launch were Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER).<ref name=“38n”>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="nti">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The United States strongly condemned the launch.<ref name="CNN" />
To enable interception at higher altitudes, South Korea is indigenously developing the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM),<ref name=Yonhap160km /> and on 8 July 2016 the U.S. agreed to deploy one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in Seongju County, in the south of South Korea, by the end of 2017.<ref name=xinhua-20160804>Template:Cite news</ref>
Variant for reconnaissance satellite testingEdit
Hwasong-7 has a variant with white paint job for reconnaissance satellite cameras testing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On 18 December 2022, North Korea launched two medium-range ballistic missiles from Sohae Satellite Launching Station. These missiles flew Template:Cvt with an apogee of Template:Cvt.<ref name="nti" />
According to North Korea, the missiles were test-fired by National Aerospace Technology Administration (then National Aerospace Development Administration) for testing reconnaissance satellite cameras.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} For images, see 1 and 2.</ref>
Based on photos released by North Korea, the missiles appear to be derived from Hwasong-7 (or Hwasong-9).<ref name="nti" />
OperatorsEdit
CurrentEdit
- Template:Flag − Shahab-3 used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.Template:Sfn
- Template:Flag − Used by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force.Template:Sfn According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing about 10 Hwasong-7 launchers.<ref name="IISS2025">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp
- Template:Flag − Hatf 5 Ghauri used by the Army Strategic Forces Command.Template:Sfn
UnconfirmedEdit
- Template:Flag − Reportedly was interested in buying Nodong missiles, but photographic evidence only shows Scud-Bs or possibly Scud-Cs in use.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Template:Flag − Developed a localized version of the Nodong missile. Reportedly received 50 missiles and 7 TELs from North Korea in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Syrian Arab Army doesn't operate MRBMs as of 2024Template:Sfn
Failed bidsEdit
- Template:Flag − Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Baghdad placed an order for Nodong missiles and made a $10 million down payment, but North Korea never delivered the missiles.Template:Sfn
See alsoEdit
- Strategic Rocket Forces (North Korea)
- North Korean missile tests
- North Korean defense industry
- Military of North Korea