| Country: |
North Korea |
| Alternate Name: |
No Dong B |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Length: |
12 m |
| Diameter: |
1.5 m |
| Launch Weight: |
19000 kg |
| Propulsion: |
liquid |
| Range: |
3200 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
The Musudan is based on the R-27: an intermediate range, liquid propellant, Russian ballistic missile. There is some debate surrounding the range of the missile. Israeli sources identified North Korean R-27 based missiles in Iran with a range of 2500 km. However, American sources report a range of 3200 km.
With a range of 3200 km the Musudan can hit any target in East Asia (including US bases in Guam and Okinawa) and Hawaii. More reliability, better circular error probability, and the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead make this weapon a greater threat to the US and its allies.
The new system is believed to have a launch weight of 19000 kg, a length of 12 m, a diameter of 1.5 m and a range of 3200 km. It has a smaller size and larger range than the No Dong or Taepo Dong 1.
This technology is obsolete in Russia; however, it suits the industrial level of North Korea. Furthermore, the R-27's engine is designed by the Isayev Design Bureau. They created the engines in the Scud B/C/D and the No Dong.
The R-27 technology appears to have entered North Korea since the mid-1990s. The first prototype was reported in 2000: no tests have been conducted. It has been suggested that sea-based versions of the missile may be produced.(1)
Footnotes
- Bermudez, Joseph., "Japan reveals name of North Korea's R-27 IRBM," in Jane's Defense Weekly, Vol. 44, Iss. 21, May 23 2007, 4.
