Based on information and images released by North Korea, Hwasong-18 is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile, cold-launched on an 9-axle transporter erector launcher.[6][10] The usage of solid fuel makes its launch more difficult to preempt than previous liquid-fueled missiles, as it does not require hours of fueling and is easier to conceal since it does not require as many accompanying support vehicles.[10][11]
Information from the 12 July 2023 test suggests that the Hwasong-18 can travel 15,000 km (9,300 mi) on an operational trajectory, enough to reach anywhere in the continental United States.[5]
North Korea planned to use Hwasong-18 along with the newer Hwasong-19 as its "primary core means in defending".[12][13]
In a military parade in April 2017, North Korea displayed two types of missile canister. These canisters may indicate solid-fueled missile projects, including a solid-fueled ICBM.[17]
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un first alluded to the development of a solid-fuel ICBM in January 2021 when it was included as part of a five-year arms development plan.[18][19] A static ground test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor was conducted on 15 December 2022 which produced a thrust of 140 metric tons of force.[20] Four 9-axle mobile launchers carrying what appeared to be solid-fuel ICBM models were showcased on the 8 February 2023 parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army. They were carried in canisters to fire the missiles by cold launch to eject them before first-stage ignition to protect the launcher from damage by the exhaust plume. These models were not named in the parade, but they were clearly of a different design than the previous large Pukguksong-5 solid-fueled SLBM.[4][21]
The Hwasong-18's maiden flight test was carried out on 13 April 2023. The first stage followed a standard trajectory optimized for reaching maximum range, but the second and third stages pulled up into a highly-lofted trajectory; this unusual flight path caused Japan to issue a missile alarm, as during the first stage burn it appeared that the missile could overfly the country.[10][11] North Korea test-fired Hwasong-18 for the second time on 12 July 2023 and became the longest flight time and highest apogee of any North Korean ICBM flight as of launch date (nearly 75 minutes and 6,648 km (4,131 mi) apogee).[5] A third consecutive successful launch was occured on 18 December 2023. The test and North Korea's characterization of it as the "launching drill of an ICBM unit" likely indicated that the Hwasong-18 is operational.[1]
Second test flight of the Hwasong-18. The missile flew for 74 minutes and 51 seconds with an apogee of 6,648 km (4,131 mi) and a flight distance of 1,001.2 km (622.1 mi).
^Based on a report about Hwasong-17 via Yonhap, Hwasong-18 is likely to have been transferred from the Strategic Force for use by Missile Administration (then Missile General Bureau).[2]
