Hwasong-11E

Not to be confused with other variants of Hwasong-11 missile series.
Hwasong-11E
TypeShort-range or medium-range ballistic missile
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In service2026–present
Production history
Designed2025
ManufacturerNorth Korea
Specifications
Mass3,400 kg (7,500 lb)
Length7.3–9.8 m (24–32 ft)
Diameter0.9 m (2 ft 11 in)
WarheadHypersonic glide vehicle
EngineSolid-fueled engine
Operational
range
800–1,500 km (500–930 mi) (estimated)
Maximum speedTested: Mach 8 (9,800 km/h; 6,100 mph)
Launch
platform
5-axle TEL

The Hwasong-11E[a] (Korean: 화성-11마; lit. 'Mars Type 11E') is a North Korean short-range or medium-range ballistic missile. First revealed on 4 October 2025 during a military exhibition, the Hwasong-11E is a member of Hwasong-11 family of short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), with the missile being designed to be equipped with hypersonic glide vehicle. The first confirmed launch was on 4 January 2026, although there was an alleged flight test on 22 October 2025.

Description

Images of the Hwasong-11E
The missile's hypersonic glide vehicle
Comparison with Hwasong-11C
The moment a hypersonic vehicle hits its target

The Hwasong-11E appears to use the same booster and five-axle TEL as Hwasong-11C, the larger variant of Hwasong-11A (KN-23). Like the other road-mobile variants of Hwasong-11A, the Hwasong-11E's TEL can carry two missiles.[3] Open-source assessments indicate that the Hwasong-11E's length and diameter are estimated to be 7.3–9.8 m (24–32 ft) and 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) respectively, while its launch mass is also judged to be 3,400 kg (7,500 lb).[4]

The missile features a hypersonic glide vehicle,[5] which has small control fins and a lift-generating body.[1] It is identical to other wedge-shaped similar vehicles mounted on other ballistic missiles that North Korea has tested before, such as Hwasong-8 and Hwasong-16B.[6] Its range is estimated to be from 800 km (500 mi),[7] which is the range of a short-range ballistic missile,[8] to 1,500 km (930 mi), making Hwasong-11E to be a medium-range ballistic missile.[9] Its longer range compared to other Hwasong-11 variants is the result of lengthened flight trajectory and duration.[10]

The Hwasong-11E may bring North Korea additional hypersonic-speed strike capability for use against South Korea's better-protected targets,[6] including airfields, command centers and weapons storage facilities.[11] According to South Korean media, as the Hwasong-11E's warhead may reach a speed of over Mach 5 (6,100 km/h; 3,800 mph) and fly at low altitude, it's capable of evading the air defense systems of the United States and South Korea.[12]

It is possible that North Korea developed Hwasong-11E based on Hwasong-11A's combat performance in Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13]

According to North Korean official Pak Jong-chon, Hwasong-11E is a new weapon system that have a "new strategic value", reflecting the development of North Korean defense industry. Given North Korea's tactical missile production capacity is one of the largest in the world, the research and development cycle of the Hwasong-11E can be shortened and the missile may enter mass production.[14]

History

During the military exhibition "Defence Development-2025" held on 4 October 2025,[15] North Korea unveiled Hwasong-11E,[8] with the missile's official name being written in the body.[10] It was showcased along with other weapons, including Hwasong-18,[16] Hwasong-19 (later confirmed as Hwasong-20),[3] supersonic cruise missiles and anti-submarine missiles.[16] Several days later, on 10 October 2025, North Korea displayed the missile during a military parade.[17]

An alleged test-fire occurred on 22 October 2025.[18][19] Later, a confirmed test-fire of Hwasong-11E occurred on 4 January 2026.[20][21]

List of tests

Attempt Date (Pyongyang Standard Time) Location Outcome Additional notes References
Unconfirmed 22 October 2025, 8:10 a.m. Ryokpho District, Pyongyang Success South Korean military detected the launch of multiple ballistic missiles at 8:10 a.m., and the missiles flew about 350 km (220 mi).

North Korean state media confirmed the launch of two missiles, which was organized by the Missile Administration. The missiles were called "important" weapon system and "hypersonic projectiles" without mentioning official designation. The launch may involved Hwasong-11E, but it is also possible that the missiles were Hwasong-11C-4.5.

The missiles flew in a northeast direction and hit their preset target in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province, 430 km (270 mi) away from launch point.

[18][22][23][24]
1 4 January 2026, 7:50 a.m. Ryokpho District, Pyongyang Success The missiles were officially reported to fly 1,000 km (620 mi). The Korean Central News Agency did not name the missile model but it is highly likely the missiles were Hwasong-11E. Images from North Korean state media did not show any close-up view of the missiles.

South Korea and Japan detected the launch between 7:50 a.m and 8:00 a.m., with Japan reporting a maximum range of 950 km (590 mi) and an apogee of 50 km (31 mi). The missile's trajectory showed a pull-up maneuver, as well as a maximum speed of Mach 8 (9,800 km/h; 6,100 mph).

[25][26][27][28]

See also

Related development

Comparable missiles

Notes

  1. ^ Also known as Hwasong-11Ma,[1] with the letter "Ma" being the fifth letter in the Korean alphabet.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Xuân Minh (7 October 2025). "Tên lửa siêu thanh mới của Triều Tiên có thể vượt mọi hệ thống phòng thủ?" [Can North Korea's new hypersonic missile bypass any defense system?]. Sức khỏe và Đời sống (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  2. ^ Chen Chuanren (6 October 2025). "North Korea Unveils Hypersonic Variant Of Hwasong-11 Tactical Missile". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b Vann H. Van Diepen (4 November 2025). "It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?". 38 North. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  4. ^ Quỳnh Như (8 October 2025). "Triều Tiên ra mắt vũ khí siêu thanh mới" [North Korea unveils new hypersonic weapon]. Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  5. ^ Jeong Yun-yeong (5 October 2025). 北, 극초음속 '화성-11마' 첫 공개…'전 구간 타격 체계' 구축 과시 [North Korea unveils hypersonic Hwasong-11E missile for the first time, demonstrating its "full-range strike system"]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b Joseph Trevithick (6 October 2025). "New North Korean Hypersonic Missile Unveiled At Pyongyang Arms Expo". The War Zone. Recurrent Ventures. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  7. ^ Đào Cảnh (8 October 2025). "Tên lửa Hwasong-11Ma tốc độ Mach 12, tầm bắn 800km, công nghệ HGV, 'vũ khí thay đổi cuộc chơi'" [Hwasong-11Ma missile with Mach 12 speed, 800 km range, HGV technology, 'game changer weapon']. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b "North Korea Reveals Hypersonic Warhead on Short-Range Missile". KBS World. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ^ JSF (6 October 2025). 北朝鮮が新型極超音速滑空ミサイル「火星11マ」を初公開、日本を攻撃できる射程を発揮可能か [North Korea unveils new hypersonic glide missile "Hwasong-11E" for the first time, could it have the range to attack Japan?]. Yahoo News Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Quân sự thế giới hôm nay (12-10): Nga thử nghiệm máy bay Yak-130M" [World military news today (12 October): Russia tests Yak-130M aircraft]. NBTV (in Vietnamese). Ninh Binh News & Radio, Television Station. 12 October 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2026. Section "Triều Tiên ra mắt mẫu tên lửa Hwasong-11 mới" (North Korea unveils new Hwasong-11 variant)
  11. ^ Thu Thủy (8 October 2025). "Khám phá đầu đạn lướt tên lửa siêu thanh mới Hwasong-11Ma Triều Tiên lần đầu công khai" [Discovering the warhead of North Korea's new hypersonic missile Hwasong-11Ma, disclosed for the first time]. VietTimes (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. ^ Phạm Giang (6 October 2025). "Dàn tên lửa siêu vượt âm, hành trình ở triển lãm quốc phòng Triều Tiên" [Hypersonic and cruise missiles at North Korean defense exhibition]. VnExpress (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  13. ^ Yang Ji-ho (5 October 2025). "North Korea's Hypersonic Missiles Threaten South". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  14. ^ Lê Hưng (3 November 2025). "Triều Tiên ra mắt tên lửa mới, nguy hiểm hơn Iskander-M?" [North Korea unveiled new missile, more dangerous than Iskander-M?]. VTC News (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Military Hardware Exhibition Defence Development-2025 Opens". Korean Central News Agency. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  16. ^ a b Brendan Cole (8 October 2025). "North Korea Unveils New Weapons as 'Direct Threats' to US Military Bases". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  17. ^ Brad Lendon; Gawon Bae (11 October 2025). "As its ruling party turns 80, an emboldened Kim Jong Un shows off North Korea's new hypersonic weapon, ICBM". CNN. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  18. ^ a b Chung Yeong-gyo; Lee Yu-jung (23 October 2025). "North confirms launch of 'important' hypersonic weapon that could possibly reach APEC host city". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  19. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Tests Important Weapon System". Korean Central News Agency. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Hypersonic Missile Launching Drill Conducted in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  21. ^ "When Pyongyang is afraid, opportunity emerges". The Korea Times. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  22. ^ Lee Minji (23 October 2025). "(2nd LD) N. Korea says it tested 2 hypersonic projectiles, successfully hit target". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  23. ^ Kim Tong-hyung (23 October 2025). "North Korea says its latest missile tests demonstrate a new hypersonic system". AP News. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  24. ^ "Triều Tiên tuyên bố phóng thử thành công 2 tên lửa siêu vượt âm" [North Korea claims to have successfully test-fired two hypersonic missiles]. Quảng Ngãi TV (in Vietnamese). Quang Ngai Newspaper and Radio, Television. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  25. ^ "Triều Tiên thử tên lửa siêu thanh, khẳng định 'lực lượng hạt nhân sẵn sàng chiến tranh'" [North Korea tests hypersonic missile, asserts 'nuclear forces are ready for war']. Bắc Ninh TV (in Vietnamese). Bac Ninh Newspaper and Radio – Television. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  26. ^ Colin Zwirko (5 January 2026). "North Korea says it tested hypersonic missiles to deter enemies". NK News. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  27. ^ Yang Ji-ho (5 January 2026). "North Korea's Missile Performs Mach 3.5 Maneuvers". Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  28. ^ "Triều Tiên mở rộng năng lực răn đe hạt nhân" [North Korea to expand its nuclear deterrence capabilities]. Quảng Ngãi TV (in Vietnamese). Quang Ngai Newspaper and Radio, Television. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
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