Hwasong-11E

Hwasong-11E
TypeShort-range or medium-range ballistic missile
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In service2026–present
Production history
Designed2025
ManufacturerNorth Korea
Developed fromHwasong-11A, Hwasong-11C
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
Estimated: 800–1,500 km (500–930 mi)
Maximum speedEstimated: Mach 12 (14,700 km/h; 9,130 mph)
Tested: 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
image icon The missile's hypersonic glide vehicle
image icon Comparison with Hwasong-11C
image icon The moment a hypersonic vehicle hits its target

The Hwasong-11E is the sixth member of the Hwasong-11 missile family. It uses the same booster and engine as Hwasong-11C (Hwasong-11A's larger variant).[3] The TEL of Hwasong-11E is a 5-axle chassis that can carry two missiles, like other road-mobile variants of Hwasong-11A.[4] Open-source assessments indicate 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).[5]

The missile features a hypersonic glide vehicle, using the design not seen in other systems, with four fins (two aerodynamic and two guidance) located near its base.[3] It has the capability of conducting unexpected and complicated maneuvers, including S-turn and rapid altitude changes.[6] Estimation indicates a range of 800–1,500 km (500–930 mi),[7] which is longer than other Hwasong-11 variants due to the lengthened flight trajectory and duration.[8]

The Hwasong-11E may bring North Korea additional hypersonic-speed strike capability for use against South Korea's better-protected targets,[9] including airfields, command centers and weapons storage facilities.[10] According to South Korean media, as the Hwasong-11E may reach a maximum 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.[11] The missile's estimated maximum speed is Mach 12 (14,700 km/h; 9,130 mph).[6]

It is possible that North Korea develops Hwasong-11E based on Hwasong-11A's combat performance in Russo-Ukrainian war.[12]

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

North Korea unveiled Hwasong-11E at the "Defence Development-2025" opened on 4 October 2025,[8][14] with the missile's official name written at the warhead.[12] It was showcased along with other weapons, including Hwasong-18, Hwasong-19 (later confirmed as Hwasong-20), supersonic cruise missiles and anti-submarine missiles.[4][15] Later, North Korea displayed the missile on 10 October 2025, during a military parade.[16]

An alleged test-fire occurred on 22 October 2025.[17][18] Later, a confirmed test-fire of Hwasong-11E occurred on 4 January 2026.[19] The launch related to "the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events" according to North Korean state media,[20] suggesting the possible reaction to the US military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.[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 multiple ballistic missiles were launched at 8:10 a.m. and 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.

 [17][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 provided neither detailed information nor any close-up images of the missiles. However, it is highly likely the missiles were Hwasong-11E based on North Korean description of "hypersonic missiles", although initial assessment from South Korean military suspected the launch might involve Hwasong-11A.

The launch occurred at 7:50 a.m local time, with Japan reporting a maximum range of 950 km (590 mi) and an apogee of 50 km (31 mi). The missiles likely made a pull-up maneuver and achieved a maximum speed of Mach 8 (9,800 km/h; 6,100 mph), based on information from a screen shown by North Korean state media. Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch.

 [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. ↑ 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. 1 2 "Hwasong-11E (Hwasong-11Ma)". NK Pro. NK News. 17 August 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 Van Diepen, Vann H. (4 November 2025). "It Is Autumn in North Korea, and the Missiles Are Changing. Are They Past Peak?". 38 North. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. 1 2 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'" [Mach 12-speed, 800 km-range Hwasong-11Ma missile with HGV technology, a 'game changer weapon']. VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Phạm Giang (23 October 2025). "Triều Tiên thử vũ khí siêu vượt âm, đánh trúng đích cách 400 km" [North Korea tested hypersonic missiles, hitting target 400 km away]. VnExpress (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 "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)
  9. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (6 October 2025). "New North Korean Hypersonic Missile Unveiled At Pyongyang Arms Expo". The War Zone. Recurrent Ventures. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ "North Korea Reveals Hypersonic Warhead on Short-Range Missile". KBS World. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. 1 2 Yang, Ji-ho (5 October 2025). "North Korea's Hypersonic Missiles Threaten South". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Military Hardware Exhibition Defence Development-2025 Opens". Korean Central News Agency. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Cole, Brendan (8 October 2025). "North Korea Unveils New Weapons as 'Direct Threats' to US Military Bases". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  16. ↑ Lendon, Brad; Bae, Gawon (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.
  17. 1 2 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 20 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "DPRK Missile Administration Tests Important Weapon System". Korean Central News Agency. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "When Pyongyang is afraid, opportunity emerges". The Korea Times. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  20. ↑ "Hypersonic Missile Launching Drill Conducted in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Jung, Min-kyung (5 January 2026). "US strike on Venezuela reinforces Kim Jong-un's nuclear fixation, experts say". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 14 June 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. ↑ Zwirko, Colin (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". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "Triều Tiên mở rộng năng lực răn đe hạt nhân" [North Korea to expand 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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