North Korea Tests Missile at Mach 12 – New Hwasong-16B Unveiled?

North Korea has once again captured the world’s attention, this time with a hypersonic missile test conducted on January 6, 2025, shrouded in secrecy and speculation.

Could this signal the emergence of a more advanced Hwasong-16B model? With unprecedented speed and potential range, this development could redefine global military dynamics, leaving experts and governments scrambling for answers.

North Korea’s Latest Hypersonic Missile Test: A Game-Changer or Empty Show?

On January 6, 2025, North Korea stunned the world with a test launch of a hypersonic missile believed to be an advanced version of the Hwasong-16B.

This missile reportedly reached speeds exceeding Mach 12 and traveled about 1,500 km (932 miles) at speeds over Mach 12—twelve times the speed of sound—and reached an altitude of nearly 100 km before hitting a target in the East Sea.

Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the launch, hailing it as a triumph that bolsters North Korea’s nuclear deterrence. According to state media, the missile’s hypersonic glide vehicle maintained precision at extraordinary speeds, signaling a leap forward in maneuverability and effectiveness.

However, neighboring countries, including South Korea, remain skeptical. South Korea and other regional players have raised doubts about the actual capabilities of the missile, suggesting that its success might be overstating.

Despite these doubts, experts agree that hypersonic missiles represent a serious challenge for defense systems, as they are faster and harder to intercept than traditional missiles.

Does this test mark the dawn of a new era in North Korean missile development, or is it another carefully curated display? The implications for international security are undeniable, and the world is watching closely.

What specific advancements are believed to enhance the Hwasong-16B’s performance?

With the spotlight on North Korea’s latest missile test, attention has turned to the advancements in materials and technologies that may have contributed to the Hwasong-16B’s remarkable performance. What breakthroughs have made this hypersonic missile faster, more precise, and harder to intercept?

One key improvement is the use of carbon-fiber composite materials in the missile’s design. These materials provide superior structural strength and resistance to extreme heat, which are essential for sustaining hypersonic flight and surviving the intense heat of re-entry into the atmosphere.

Additionally, they improve aerodynamic efficiency, allowing the missile to maintain stability and speed even during complex maneuvers.

Another critical advancement lies in its solid-fuel propulsion system. Unlike liquid-fueled missiles, which require time-consuming fueling before launch, the Hwasong-16B’s solid fuel can be stored in the missile.

This allows it to be launched more quickly from mobile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicles, significantly reducing the chances of being detected and destroyed in a pre-emptive strike.

The missile’s performance is further enhanced by its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), a cutting-edge technology that enables it to maneuver unpredictably during flight. By changing its trajectory mid-air, the HGV can evade missile defense systems, making interception incredibly difficult.

Adding to its versatility, the missile can carry different payload configurations, including a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) for precise terminal-phase maneuvering or a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capable of striking multiple targets simultaneously.

To complement its maneuverability, the Hwasong-16B is equipped with advanced sensors that can track and engage moving or relocatable targets with high precision. 

The missile’s enhanced maneuverability was evident in its recent tests, where it demonstrated advanced pull-up and lateral maneuvers both within and beyond the atmosphere. This level of flexibility makes it even more challenging to counter.

Together, these advancements in materials, propulsion, and guidance systems contribute to the Hwasong-16B’s impressive speed, range, accuracy, and survivability. While the true extent of its capabilities remains under scrutiny, one thing’s clear: this missile is built to impress—and to intimidate.

How does the Hwasong-16B compare to other hypersonic missiles globally?

The Hwasong-16B is North Korea’s latest entry into the hypersonic missile race, and it holds its own against other global systems. While each hypersonic missile has unique features tailored to the strategic goals of its country of origin, the Hwasong-16B combines several advanced capabilities that make it a noteworthy contender.

Intermediate-Range Capability

One of the standout features of the Hwasong-16B is its intermediate-range capability, with an estimated range of 4,000–5,000 kilometers. This range sets it apart from many global hypersonic systems, which are often either medium-range or intercontinental.

For comparison, China’s DF-17 is a medium-range missile designed for regional dominance, while Russia’s Avangard is an intercontinental missile. The Hwasong-16B fills a niche, giving North Korea a strategic edge in targeting both regional and distant threats without requiring intercontinental capabilities.

Solid-Fuel Propulsion

The Hwasong-16B uses solid-fuel propulsion, offering rapid launch readiness and greater mobility compared to older liquid-fueled systems. This is a feature shared by advanced missiles like China’s DF-26, which also benefits from quick deployment.

Solid fuel not only reduces launch preparation time but also enhances the missile’s survivability by enabling mobile and hidden launches, making preemptive strikes against it more challenging.

Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV)

A key component of the Hwasong-16B is its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), which allows for evasive maneuvers during flight. This technology puts it in the same league as Russia’s Avangard and China’s DF-17, both of which also utilize HGVs to evade missile defense systems.

However, while Russia and China have heavily invested in HGV technology for years, the rapid development of North Korea’s version raises questions about potential foreign assistance, with some experts suggesting possible links to Russian technology transfers.

Speed and Maneuverability

The Hwasong-16B reportedly reaches speeds exceeding Mach 12, comparable to Russia’s Avangard and faster than many U.S. hypersonic projects under development, such as the AGM-183A ARRW.

Its ability to perform advanced lateral and pitch maneuvers, even outside the atmosphere, makes it a formidable challenge for existing missile defense systems.

This kind of maneuverability, seen in systems like Russia’s Kinzhal, is critical for ensuring the missile can reach its target despite modern interception technologies.