| Country: |
North Korea |
| Alternate Name: |
Hwasong 6 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
10.94 m |
| Diameter: |
0.88 m |
| Launch Weight: |
6095 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 700 kg |
| Warhead: |
Chemical, HE, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
500 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1992 |
Details
The North Korean variants of the Russian 'Scud C' and 'Scud D' are short-range, road mobile, liquid propellant ballistic missiles. These systems represent a substantial improvement upon the earlier North Korean 'Scud B' variant. Using these missiles North Korea can hit all of the targets in South Korea critical to a communist invasion. The limited accuracy confines it to use as a long-range general bombardment weapon. Though it is doubtful that North Korea would equip a 'Scud' with a nuclear warhead, the design is such that it is easily possible.
The 'Scud C' has a range of 500 km (311 miles) from its single-stage liquid propellant engine. It is 10.94 m in length, 0.88 m in diameter, and has a launch weight of 6,095 kg. Its payload carries one warhead up to 770 kg. The warhead can be chemical, HE, or submunitions. A result of the increased range over the 'Scud B' without an improved guidance system is that the missile has a rather poor accuracy of 1,000 m CEP.
The production of the 'Scud C' in North Korea began in 1992 after successful full-range launch testing took place in 1991. A 1997 report stated that North Korea was working on an improved 'Scud C'. This was confirmed in 2000. It is called the 'Scud D' but it does not resemble the Russia missile with the same name. Reports indicate that in 1991, 60 'Scud C' variant missiles were exported to Iran. Iran then began developing its own similar missile (known as the Shahab-2). The same year, approximately the same number and type of missiles were exported to Syria, with 12 Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles. Iran has assisted Syria in setting up facilities for production and testing. Iraq was reported to have bought missiles in 2001. Yemen has also been reported to have 5 to 10 missiles. It is thought that 'Scud C' variant technology was sold to Egypt and Libya. In 2000, Syria flight tested one, two more missiles were tested in 2005. It is known that Vietnam ordered 'Scud C' variant missiles from North Korea in 1998 and that in 1999 North Korea made an offer to Sudan to set up a Scud production facility.
A 2006 US intelligence report suggested that North Korea had 600 total 'Scuds' of B,C, and D varieties. A 2008 report suggested that this number had increased to 800 total 'Scud' (Hwasong) missiles.(1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009), 99-100.
Activity at North Korean Missile Base
October 27, 2004 :: The Chosun Ilbo (S. Korea) :: News
The South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports today that American, Japanese, and South Korean governments have observed increased activity at the Chongju missile base some 100km north of Pyongyang. The paper quotes a “high ranking” South Korean government source as saying on October 26 that
Beginning two to three days ago, North Korea has been showing moves that appear to be an attempt to test fire No Dong I and Scud Missiles, including the movement of a Scud missile mobile launcher from a missile base in Chongju, Northern Pyongan Province.
East Asia Intel reports that U.S. intelligence officials speculate that North Korea could attempt a launch so as to influence the approaching U.S. presidential election.
The Russian Itar Tass news agency quickly responded to the report with another, well-placed source in the North Korean government, who speculated that missile activity did not likely indicate any missile preparations, but was probably merely designed to be a response to the multi-country naval exercise currently taking place near Japan. The Russian paper quotes the North Korean as noting that, “If the Korean People’s Democratic Republic really intended to launch a missile, it would launch an anti-ship missile as usual from a base located on the Eastern coast."
North Korea’s Scuds and No Dongs are both believed to be derived from Russian missiles.
Similar reports of activity at North Korean missile bases also occurred at this time last month. (Link)
» Sep. 26: Increased activity at North Korean bases
» More stories on: North Korea
» Missile details: No Dong 1, No Dong 2, Scud B variant, Scud C variant
Iran Deploys Scud Missiles on Ships
October 14, 2004 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
Citing U.S. officials, Middle East Newsline today reports that Iran has deployed a number of short-range and medium-range Scud ballistic missiles aboard cargo vessels, and equipped them to be launched from the ships. The ships are said to be stationed in the northern Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. The officials also said that Iran began deployment of ship-based missiles in 1997, and that several such vessels are already so equipped. (Link)
» Aug. 18, 2004: Rumsfeld again warns of danger by ship launched missile
» Oct. 24, 2002: Wolfowitz warns of ship launched threat
» Oct. 21, 2004: Rumsfeld on rogue state test of ship-launched missile
» More stories on: Iran, Ship-Launched Threat
» Missile details: Scud B variant, Scud C variant
Libya May Retain Scud B Missiles
March 10, 2004 :: Reuters :: News
Although Libya has given up its missile and WMD programs, it may be permitted to retain some SCUDs for “defensive” purposes. However, those retained would be SCUD-Bs; the more advanced and capable Scud-Cs, made with Norht Korea help, are being shipped to the United States.
“The Scud Bs are pretty old. If you had to make a choice between Scud Cs and Scud Bs—which one would you eliminate first—we got the right ones,” said a senior U.S. official, quoted by Reuters.
So much for disarming Libya. While there are only 5 Scud-Cs being given up, there are possibly some 240 Scud-Bs in Libya’s possession. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Libya
» Missile details: Scud C variant
