Hwasong-13

The first version of Hwasong-13, called KN-08 under the U.S. naming convention It is a liquid-fueled missile, with an estimated range of . Design and development In late 2011, North Korea was reported to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US. KN-08 was first displayed in April 2012, during a military parade. Six missiles were carried on 16-wheel transporter erector launchers (TELs), similar in size to those used by the Russian RT-2PM2 Topol-M missiles. The TELs are thought to be based on WS-51200 frames made by Wanshan Special Vehicle in China, UN investigators have concluded that the TELs were Chinese WS51200 trucks exported to North Korea for lumber transport. The North Koreans converted them into TELs by installing hydraulic gear and controls to erect a missile. Despite being converted to fire a missile, the truck would not be likely to survive damage from the rocket exhaust like a purpose-built TEL, making it a single-use launcher. Mock-ups of KN-08 were again displayed during a military parade in July 2013, with fewer discrepancies among them compared to the previous year. According to 38 North, the Hwasong-13 (KN-08)'s dimensions are estimated to be about long, with the first and second stage diameter of about , reducing to about for the third stage. Liquid-fueled ICBMs generally only have two stages for best performance, with a few exceptions (usually when an existing design is upgraded). Its three-stage design is puzzling. In early 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that although they had not seen the Hwasong-13 tested, they believed North Korea had the ability to put a nuclear weapon on a Hwasong-13, and it was prudent to plan for that threat. Theoretically, it poses a threat to the U.S. mainland, able to deliver a payload to the American west coast. Practically speaking however, its accuracy is likely "barely adequate" to target large cities, mobility would be limited to paved roads, and the system will require one to two hours of pre-launch fueling. In 2017, speculations were published that the KN-08 may achieve an "emergency operational status" by 2020. On 15 March 2016, North Korean state media published image of a test of the KN-08's reentry vehicle nosecone. The test was guided by Kim Jong Un. Engine tests and reported deployment During 2013, North Korea was reported to test KN-08 engine two times: one in 11 February, and another on 25 December. Both tests were conducted in Tongchang-ri. In 2014, North Korea conducted at least three further KN-08 engine tests: one in late March or early April, another in June and the third engine test in mid-August. It is also possible that North Korea conducted more than one KN-08 engine test between 22 March and 5 April 2014. == 2015 version ==

The second version of Hwasong-13, called KN-14 under the U.S. naming convention, was first displayed in October 2015. The missile mock-ups indicated a change from a three- to two-stage design. Design and development The mock-up displayed by North Korea in October 2015 was significantly different compared to previous models, with two stages rather than three. The overall size was somewhat reduced to , while the missile's diameter also increased to because of larger fuel tanks for the two stages. It was no longer built with extensive riveting, suggesting a more modern structural design, with reduced weight. The missile also featured a modified smaller-in-length but larger-in-diameter third stage plus re-entry vehicle section design, as well as more accuracy compared with earlier KN-08. Theoretically, the KN-14 is able to deliver a payload of . It also could deliver North Korean nuclear warheads to Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. On 31 March 2016, The Washington Free Beacon reported that the missile displayed in 2015 was a new missile—called KN-08 Mod 2, or KN-14 by United States Originally called Hwasong-14 by Western sources, however, analysts believed that the missile was inaccurately designated, as the real Hwasong-14 was first test-fired on 4 July 2017, which appears to have no substantial relationship with the 2015 version of Hwasong-13. It is now called by United States as KN-14. ==Project cancellation==

In an interview for Difesa Online, a military-focused website, on 27 November 2017, German analyst Norbert Brügge claimed that Hwasong-13, along with Hwasong-10, was likely cancelled due to unresolved engine problems. Several days later, on 2 December 2017, it was reported that the Hwasong-13 project was discontinued because of the engine's fuel injection time and output issues. The Hwasong-13 development team was sent to assist development of the Hwasong-12, Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 missiles. It is not known whether Hwasong-13 variants entered service prior to its cancellation. Despite the uncertain functionality, both Hwasong-13 variants appear to contribute to the developments of Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, both had their first successful test in 2017. ==List of Hwasong-13 tests==

Until its cancellation, North Korean state media had not confirmed any test flight of Hwasong-13. The launches might also involve KN-14 variant, Hwasong-12, or Pukguksong-2. It is diffucult to exactly confirm the missile used in these tests, as North Korea did not release images about October 2016 launches. == See also ==