KN-18

KN-18
Type	Short-range ballistic missile
Place of origin	North Korea
Service history
Used by	Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Production history
Designed	2017
Specifications
Length	11.5–11.9 m (38–39 ft)
Warhead	Maneuverable reentry vehicle Possibly nuclear-capable
Operational range	450 km (280 mi) or more
Accuracy	7 m (23 ft) CEP
Launch platform	Tracked TEL

The KN-18 is the designation given by the United States government to a North Korean short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), whose official designation is unknown. The missile was first tested on 29 May 2017.

Description

Images of the KN-18
At the 15 April 2017 military parade
May 2017 test

The KN-18 is a variant of Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) with terminal maneuverability. Initially, the KN-18 was assessed as an anti-ship ballistic missile, but it is incorrect. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Other sources claim the KN-18 to be a variant of Hwasong-5 (Scud-B). ^{[4] [5]} Based from images, the missile's estimated length is judged to be about 11.5–11.9 m (38–39 ft). ^[6]

The missile utilizes a liquid-fueled Scud booster and is equipped with a separable and maneuverable warhead. After engine burnout, the KN-18's warhead adjusts its trajectory to precisely strike the target. The missile's circular error probable is 7 m (23 ft), according to North Korean state media. The KN-18 has a range of 450 km (280 mi), based on information released after the first and only test-fire. The KN-18's launcher is a tracked chassis. Along with the maneuverable reentry vehicle, the KN-18 appears to be possibly nuclear-capable. ^{[7] [8]}

History

The KN-18 was first displayed during a military parade on 15 April 2017 commemorating the 105th birthday of the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Initially, the missile was designated by the United States as KN-17, but this designation was later used for Hwasong-12, an intermediate-range ballistic missile that had a successful test flight on 14 May 2017. ^{[7] [9]}

The KN-18's maiden test-flight occurred on 29 May 2017. ^[10] After the test-fire, United States designated the missile as KN-18. ^[7]

North Korea has never disclosed KN-18's official designation. It is not known whether the KN-18 is in production, and it is also possible that the KN-18 is superseded by newer solid-fueled SRBMs. ^{[5] [8]}

List of tests

There has been one known test so far:

Attempt	Date (Pyongyang Standard Time)	Location	Outcome	Additional notes	References
1	29 May 2017 05:40 a.m.	Kalma Airport, Wonsan	Success	The missile was tracked by the United States Pacific Command for six minutes, achieved 450 km (280 mi) range and 120 km (75 mi) apogee. The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un.	[11] [12] [13]

See also

• Hwasong-12A
• Hwasong-16A

References

1. Ankit Panda (14 September 2017). "Introducing the KN21, North Korea's New Take on its Oldest Ballistic Missile". The Diplomat . Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
2. Scott LaFoy (31 July 2017). "The More You KN-0w About North Korean Missiles". Arms Control Wonk. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
3. Thành Đạt (16 September 2017). "Triều Tiên bí mật nâng cấp tên lửa cũ khủng khiếp hơn" [North Korea secretly upgraded old missiles to be more terrifying]. Dân trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
4. "DPRK Strategic Capabilities and Security on the Korean Peninsula: Looking Ahead" (PDF). International Institute for Strategic Studies . Retrieved 1 August 2025. Some experts conclude that the geometry of the Hwasong-5's (KN-18) manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) is similar to that of the US mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile Pershing II.
5. "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists . Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
6. "The Soviet "Scud" missile family". www.b14643.eu. Retrieved 18 June 2025. For details of KN-18's length, see this image.
7. "KN-18 (Scud MaRV)". Missile Threat. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
8. "DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022" (PDF). Open Nuclear Network. 21 April 2022. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
9. "KN-18". Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
10. Ankit Panda (30 May 2017). "North Korea Introduces a New 'Ultra-Precision' Scud Missile Variant: First Takeaways". The Diplomat . Retrieved 18 June 2025.
11. "U.S. Pacific Command detects, tracks North Korean missile launch". United States Forces Korea . 28 May 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
12. "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative . Retrieved 18 June 2025.
13. "Kim Jong Un Guides Ballistic Rocket Test-Fire through Precision Control Guidance System". Korean Central News Agency . 30 May 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2025.