North Korea Claims Successful Tactical Missile Test

July 3, 2024

North Korea announced that a test of a new tactical ballistic missile called the Hwasongpho-11 Da-4.5, which is meant to carry a big 4.5-ton weapon, went well. The country’s official news outlets said the rocket could hit its target accurately from up to 500 km away and as close as 90 km away. Tensions were high in the area at the time of the test, which was made clear by conflicting accounts from South Korean military sources.

Details of the Missile Test

The test was meant to make sure that the rocket could stay in the air and hit targets accurately at different distances. But the nature and details of the warhead’s abilities were not made public. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) didn’t talk about where the missile was launched or where it landed. This is rare because the North usually uses photos to show off its achievements to the rest of the world.

South Korea’s Military Observations

The South Korean military saw two missile launches, which goes against what North Korea said. This suggests that North Korea did two launches to try different ranges. South Korea said that it thought the second rocket probably didn’t work right and went off over North Korea. This report fits with the strange flight path that was seen, which pointed to a possible explosion before the object finished its planned path.

Analysis and Speculations

Experts and military leaders in South Korea have said they are not sure if the test was successful. There are worries that North Korea might be trying to trick the world into thinking that a failed test was a success by hiding the photos and the strange flight patterns that have been seen. These rumors are strengthened by the fact that test flights over inland areas don’t happen very often, which points to a failure.

About Tactical Ballistic Missile

Battlefield Use: Tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) are designed for short-range battlefield use, typically having a range under 300 kilometers.
Historical Inception: The first TBMs were V-2 rockets used during World War II. Modern examples include the U.S. MGM-140 ATACMS and the Russian Iskander (SS-26 Stone).
Advanced Targeting: TBMs have advanced guidance systems like GPS or inertial navigation that help them hit their targets precisely. They can also be fired from mobile platforms, which makes them more mobile and easier to avoid.

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