North Korea confirms testing of hypersonic missile using solid fuel

Sunday's launch posed no security threat to neighboring countries, KCNA said, adding that the launch was aimed at testing the reliability of a new high-thrust, multi-stage solid-fuel engine for a medium-range hypersonic missile.

North Korea launches a solid-fuel and hypersonic ballistic missile at an undisclosed location on January 14, 2024. Photo: KCNA

South Korea's military said earlier Sunday that the missile, launched from the Pyongyang area at around 2:55 p.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers off the country's east coast. Japan's defense ministry said the maximum altitude was at least 50 kilometers.

Pyongyang also said earlier it had tested a new solid-fuel engine for an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on November 11 and 14.

North Korea's new solid-fuel engine test on November 14, 2023. Photo: KCNA

South Korean officials believe the solid-fuel IRBM being developed by North Korea is capable of striking US military bases in Japan and Guam. IRBMs have a range of up to 5,500 km.

Solid-fuel missiles are known to be more difficult to detect before launch than liquid-fuel missiles, which require more preparation, such as fuel injection.

Leader Kim Jong Un visits and guides a weapons production facility in North Korea. Photo: KCNA

Recent North Korean missile launches and South Korea's military exercises with the US and Japan have increased tensions in the region. On January 7, North Korea conducted artillery firing exercises near the sea border between the two countries.

The incident prompted South Korea to hold live-fire drills from the northwestern border islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong for the first time in more than six years.

Hoang Anh (according to KCNA, Yonhap, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trieu-tien-xac-nhan-phong-thu-ten-lua-sieu-thanh-su-dung-nhien-lieu-ran-post280941.html