Engineering:Hwasong-11E
The Hwasong-11E[lower-alpha 1] (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 an evolution of Hwasong-11 family of short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) 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
 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]
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.[10] According to South Korean media, as the Hwasong-11E's warhead may reach a speed of over Mach 5 (6,125 km/h; 3,806 mph) and fly at low altitude,[11] 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.[11]
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.[13]
History
During the military exhibition "Defence Development-2025" held on 4 October 2025,[14] North Korea unveiled Hwasong-11E.[8] It was showcased along with other weapons, including Hwasong-18,[15] Hwasong-19 (later confirmed as Hwasong-20),[3] supersonic cruise missiles and anti-submarine missiles.[15] Several days later, on 10 October 2025, North Korea displayed the missile during a military parade.[16]
An alleged test-fire occurred on 22 October 2025.[17][18] Later, a confirmed test-fire of Hwasong-11E was occurred on 4 January 2026.[19][20]
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. However, there is no clear evidence that the test involved Hwasong-11E, and it is 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. |
[17][18][21][22][23] |
| 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; 6,090 mph). |
[24][25][26][27] |
See also
Related development
- Hwasong-8
- Hwasong-11A
- Hwasong-12B
- Hwasong-16B
Comparable missiles
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Xuân Minh (2025-10-07). "Tên lửa siêu thanh mới của Triều Tiên có thể vượt mọi hệ thống phòng thủ?". https://suckhoedoisong.vn/ten-lua-sieu-thanh-moi-cua-trieu-tien-co-the-vuot-moi-he-thong-phong-thu-169251007102016607.htm.
- ↑ Chen Chuanren (2025-10-06). "North Korea Unveils Hypersonic Variant Of Hwasong-11 Tactical Missile". https://aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/north-korea-unveils-hypersonic-variant-hwasong-11-tactical-missile.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vann H. Van Diepen (4 November 2025). "It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?". https://www.38north.org/2025/11/it-is-autumn-in-north-korea-and-the-missiles-are-changing-are-they-past-peak/.
- ↑ Quỳnh Như (2025-10-08). "Triều Tiên ra mắt vũ khí siêu thanh mới". https://tienphong.vn/trieu-tien-ra-mat-vu-khi-sieu-thanh-moi-post1785320.tpo.
- ↑ Jeong Yun-yeong (2025-10-05). "Error: no
|title=specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ko). https://www.news1.kr/diplomacy/defense-diplomacy/5935010. - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Joseph Trevithick (2025-10-06). "New North Korean Hypersonic Missile Unveiled At Pyongyang Arms Expo". Recurrent Ventures. https://www.twz.com/land/new-north-korean-hypersonic-missile-unveiled-at-pyongyang-arms-expo.
- ↑ Đào Cảnh (2025-10-08). "Tên lửa Hwasong-11Ma tốc độ Mach 12, tầm bắn 800km, công nghệ HGV, 'vũ khí thay đổi cuộc chơi'" (in vi). https://vietnamnet.vn/ten-lua-hwasong-11ma-tam-ban-800km-toc-do-mach-12-xuyen-thung-moi-la-chan-2449854.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "North Korea Reveals Hypersonic Warhead on Short-Range Missile". 2025-10-05. https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=196484.
- ↑ "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". 2025-10-06. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/4a02d1b3381940a43df291e6681f284ec94e31d9.
- ↑ Thu Thủy (2025-10-08). "Khám phá đầu đạn lướt tên lửa siêu thanh mới Hwasong-11Ma Triều Tiên lần đầu công khai" (in vi). https://viettimes.vn/kham-pha-dau-dan-luot-ten-lua-sieu-thanh-moi-hwasong-11ma-trieu-tien-lan-dau-cong-khai-post190233.html.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Yang Ji-ho (2025-10-05). "North Korea's Hypersonic Missiles Threaten South". https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/10/05/LO4TTS7O2ND6XA67RI6RRGWIKM/.
- ↑ Phạm Giang (2025-10-06). "Dàn tên lửa siêu vượt âm, hành trình ở triển lãm quốc phòng Triều Tiên". https://vnexpress.net/dan-ten-lua-sieu-vuot-am-hanh-trinh-o-trien-lam-quoc-phong-trieu-tien-4947738.html.
- ↑ Lê Hưng (2025-11-03). "Triều Tiên ra mắt tên lửa mới, nguy hiểm hơn Iskander-M?". https://vtcnews.vn/trieu-tien-ra-mat-ten-lua-moi-nguy-hiem-hon-iskander-m-ar983882.html.
- ↑ "Military Hardware Exhibition Defence Development-2025 Opens". 2025-10-05. http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/e344f3e39c0a4ebb52281598d7b7f0a1.kcmsf.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Brendan Cole (2025-10-08). "North Korea Unveils New Weapons as ‘Direct Threats’ to US Military Bases". https://www.newsweek.com/north-korea-missiles-us-military-bases-10845952.
- ↑ "As its ruling party turns 80, an emboldened Kim Jong Un shows off North Korea’s new hypersonic weapon, ICBM". 2025-10-11. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/10/asia/north-korea-military-parade-new-missiles-intl-hnk-ml.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "North confirms launch of 'important' hypersonic weapon that could possibly reach APEC host city". 2025-10-23. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-23/national/northKorea/North-confirms-launch-of-important-hypersonic-weapon-that-could-possibly-reach-APEC-host-city-/2427451.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lee Minji (2025-10-23). "(2nd LD) N. Korea says it tested 2 hypersonic projectiles, successfully hit target". https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251023000552315.
- ↑ "Hypersonic Missile Launching Drill Conducted in DPRK". 2026-01-05. http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/a144e2e9766c22b0dd1e5d6f08399c2d.kcmsf.
- ↑ "When Pyongyang is afraid, opportunity emerges". 2026-01-05. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20260105/ed-when-pyongyang-is-afraid-opportunity-emerges.
- ↑ "DPRK Missile Administration Tests Important Weapon System". 2025-10-23. http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/997f57721a1a602b9db55a871cb7e037.kcmsf.
- ↑ Nguyễn Tiến (23 October 2025). "Triều Tiên thử vũ khí siêu vượt âm, đánh trúng đích cách 400 km". https://vnexpress.net/trieu-tien-thu-vu-khi-sieu-vuot-am-danh-trung-dich-cach-400-km-4954906.html.
- ↑ Colin Zwirko (2025-10-23). "North Korea claims it successfully test launched new ‘hypersonic’ missiles". https://www.nknews.org/2025/10/north-korea-says-it-successfully-test-launched-new-hypersonic-missiles/.
- ↑ "Triều Tiên thử tên lửa siêu thanh, khẳng định 'lực lượng hạt nhân sẵn sàng chiến tranh'" (in vi). 2026-01-05. https://bacninhtv.vn/tin-tuc/24/191025/trieu-tien-thu-ten-lua-sieu-thanh-khang-dinh-luc-luong-hat-nhan-san-sang-chien-tranh.
- ↑ Colin Zwirko (2026-01-05). "North Korea says it tested hypersonic missiles to deter enemies". https://www.nknews.org/2026/01/north-korea-says-it-tested-hypersonic-missile-to-deter-enemies/.
- ↑ Yang Ji-ho (2026-01-05). "North Korea's Missile Performs Mach 3.5 Maneuvers". https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/01/05/SMMUKPAAGZDNHHVR5KP4EBFJ2U/.
- ↑ "Triều Tiên mở rộng năng lực răn đe hạt nhân". Quang Ngai Newspaper and Radio, Television. 2026-01-05. https://quangngaitv.vn/trieu-tien-mo-rong-nang-luc-ran-de-hat-nhan-6512965.html.
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