Hwasong-17

In News

• Recently, North Korea test fired its massive new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). 

About Hwasong-17

• The Hwasong-17 is nuclear-armed North Korea’s biggest missile yet, and is the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled ICBM in the world.
• Its diameter is estimated to be between 2.4 and 2.5 metres. 
• It is launched directly from a transporter, erector, and launcher (TEL) vehicle.
• The weapon could travel as far as 15,000 km.

What is 38 North?

• It is a U.S.-based programme that monitors North Korea.
• Its name refers to the 38th parallel north which passes through the Korean peninsula and from 1945 until the start of the Korean War in 1950 divided the peninsula into North and South Korea. 

What is an Intercontinental ballistic missile?

• ICBM is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 kilometres.
• It is primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery.
• ICBMs are differentiated by having greater range and speed than other ballistic missiles: 
  • Intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs)
  • Medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs)
  • Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs)
  • Tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs). 
    • Short and medium-range ballistic missiles are known collectively as the theatre ballistic missiles. 
• Russia, the United States, China, France, India, the United Kingdom, and North Korea are the only countries known to have operational ICBMs. 

Source: IE