Seoul, South Korea
CNN
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North Korea announced on Friday that it had successfully tested a solid-fuel rocket motor. This development could allow the Kim Jong-un regime to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) more quickly and reliably in the future.
A new high-thrust rocket motor was tested at a satellite launch site northwest of Pyongyang on Thursday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
Photos released by state media show North Korean leader Kim Jong-un participating in a test that KCNA said would “ensure the development of another new type of strategic weapons system.” said it was.
Experts say it could be a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
“Friends, this is the first phase of a solid propellant ICBM,” said Geoffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Non-Proliferation Program at the Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, in a Twitter post.
Experts say this development could be important if the new rocket engine can be successfully integrated with the ICBM.
“If North Korea’s ground tests of a high-thrust solid-fuel motor in the West Sea are as successful as they claim, it will be an important step for North Korea’s nuclear-capable missile development,” Seoul.
Solid-fuel rockets are more stable than liquid-fuel rockets North Korea has previously tested in ICBM launches. This means that solid-fueled ICBMs are easier to travel and faster to fire than liquid-fueled ICBMs.
These factors reduce the time an enemy has to react to a North Korean ICBM.
“Once deployed, this technology will make North Korea’s nuclear arsenal more versatile, viable and dangerous,” Easley said.
Solid fuel ICBMs are the leading global standard. The United States’ flagship ICBM, the Minuteman III, is powered by three solid-fuel rocket motors.
Experts warned that despite the tests, North Korea would still face many challenges to deploy such a solid-fuel ICBM.
“From ground testing of solid-fuel motors to operational, accurate and reliable missiles comes with many technical hurdles. North Korean media overstate North Korea’s weapons capabilities and deployment schedule. I might,” Easley said.
North Korea has been testing ballistic missiles at a record pace, firing 34 projectiles so far this year, sometimes testing multiple missiles each time, according to CNN’s tally.
On November 18, North Korea tested what KCNA called Mars-17, a liquid-fueled ICBM that had range to reach all of the continental United States.
After directing its launch, Kim said North Korea “should underscore their strongest will to retaliate against the enemy’s hysterical aggression war drills that seek to destroy the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and region.” Yes,” he said, referring to the United States and South Korea.
According to KCNA, he also warned that if the US “carries out a military bluff on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas,” North Korea will mount a “more aggressive” counterattack.
A senior U.S. government official described Hwasong-17 as “further escalation” due to its long range and ability to reach the U.S. mainland.
Despite North Korea successfully testing a long-range missile, experts say it has not shown whether it can build a system that would allow a nuclear warhead to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. .
Since an ICBM is launched into space like a space shuttle or space capsule, the warhead must be able to withstand the rigorous journey through the outer layers of the Earth’s atmosphere without burning up.
“I’m someone who thinks it will probably[survive re-entry]. Some people are somewhat skeptical about that,” Lewis told CNN earlier this year.
Still, few doubt that North Korea is making headway.
“Testing is important. North Korea will qualitatively improve its nuclear capabilities in pursuit of a stronger U.S. nuclear deterrent,” said Ankit Panda, a Stanton senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I keep doing
“The big picture is that North Korea is literally turning into a prominent operator of a massive missile force,” he said.
Meanwhile, U.S. and international observers have been warning for months that North Korea appears to be preparing for an underground nuclear test, with satellite imagery showing activity at a nuclear test site. The test is the first in more than five years in a reclusive state.
