The Pukguksong-2 (Korean: 《북극성-2》형; Hancha: 北極星 2型; lit. Polaris Type 2; KN-15[2] under the U.S. naming convention) is a North Koreanmedium-range or intermediate-range ballistic missile.[3] Described as 'nuclear-capable', its first test flight was on 12 February 2017,[4] although two previous launches in October 2016 that were initially thought to be Hwasong-10 were possibly failed launches of the Pukguksong-2 instead.[5] The state-run KCNA news agency said that Kim Jong-un supervised the test, which was described as a success.
Analysts have described Pukguksong-2 as 'more stable, more efficient, and harder to detect' than North Korea's earlier designs.[6] The missile is a solid-fuel rocket and may be launched in minutes. Previous designs are liquid fuelled are more vulnerable to counterattack as their launch preparations take hours.[7][3]
In 2019, the Pukguksong-2 was reported to be deployed in North Korea near the Chinese border at the same bases as the Hwasong-7.[8]
Design
The Pukguksong-2 is an enlarged, two stage development of the Pukguksong-1, a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The missile is canister launched from its enclosed transport container. It uses a 'cold-launching' system, which starts using compressed gas, followed by the engine igniting in mid-flight.[9] The container is a smooth cylinder inside, without rails, and on launch a series of slipper blocks could be seen to fall away from the missile. These act as bearings while the missile is projected through the close-fitting tube, a system first seen with the US Peacekeeper. A series of grid fins are deployed at the base of the missile to provide aerodynamic stability during flight. The transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a new design, conceptually similar to the Russian 2P19 TEL of the R-17M Elbrus SS-1 Scud-B; fully tracked and claimed to be of indigenous North Korean manufacture, rather than previous Chinese wheeled launchers, derivatives of the ubiquitous MAZ-543 design.[10]
On its first test flight it flew 500 km (310 miles) on a deliberately inefficient trajectory.[3] Its operational range is typically estimated at between 1,200–1,300 km (750–810 miles) and is probably intended to replace medium-range missiles like the Scud-ER and Rodong-1, potentially by the early 2020s depending on rate of manufacture. One unusual feature is the ability of the missile to take images of the ground from near its apogee and transmit them to a receiving station. Continuing to gather imaging data as it enters the atmosphere may be useful for precisely guiding a manoeuvring reentry vehicle, although the Pukguksong-2 has not yet been tested with one.[11]
The report stated that United States and South Korea military were initially trying to determine whether the missile was a Rodong-1 or a modified Musudan missile, with some analysis by Jeffrey Lewis of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies suggesting this test be treated as North Korean's test of an ICBM first stage.[12]
However, North Korea announced less than a day later that this is a successful land-based variant, named Pukguksong-2, a new Korean's nuclear capable strategic weapon that uses high-angle trajectory with due consideration of the safety of neighboring countries.
KCNA also announced that this test is the upgraded, extended-range version of its submarine-launched ballistic missile (see above), which also uses a solid fuel engine, that this allows them to verify a "feature of evading interception," and that this represents "the mobility and operation of the new type missile launching truck".
Military source from South Korea note that this missile reached an altitude of 550 km (340 miles) and flew a distance of about 500 km, landing off its east coast, towards Japan.
Kim Jong-un recently announced during his New Year's speech that his country is in the final stages of testing its ICBM.[14]
This launch occurred during a state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the golf resort of President Trump in Florida and also the first missile test under Trump's administration. The two heads of state presented a united front in response. At the White House on Friday, Shinzo Abe called the test "absolutely intolerable" and said that Trump "assured me the United States will always stand with Japan 100 percent." Donald Trump did not give a mention of South Korea at all.[12]
On May 21, another successful missile test occurred, following the same lofted trajectory, with identical range and apogee.[citation needed] Following the test, North Korea reported that it was the final test launch to verify all technical characteristics performed "perfect" and initial operating capability and mass-production would soon proceed.[16] The launch site was geolocated to 39°37′05″N125°48′13″E / 39.6180283°N 125.8035851°E / 39.6180283; 125.8035851.[15]
