KN-08

The KN-08, also known under the names No-dong-C and Hwaseong-13, is a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be under development by North Korea.

Mock-ups of the missile were first displayed during a military parade in April 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary on Kim Il Sung. Six missiles were carried on 16-wheel transporter erector launchers, similar in size to those used by the Russian RT-2UTTKh Topol-M missiles. The TELs are thought to be based on WS-51200 frames made by Wanshan Special Vehicle in China, possibly using technology from Minsk Automobile Plant. UN investigators have concluded that the TELs were Chinese WS51200 trucks exported to North Korea for lumber transport. The North Koreans illegally converted them into TELs by installing hydraulic gear and controls to erect a missile. Despite being converted to fire a missile, the truck would not be likely to survive damage from the rocket exhaust like a purpose-built TEL, making it a single-use launcher.

The KN-08 mock-up dimensions are estimated to be a length of about 17 metres, and first and second stage diameter of about 1.9 metres, reducing to about 1.3 metres for the third stage. Liquid-fueled ICBMs generally only have two stages for best performance, with a few exceptions usually when an existing design is upgraded. The three stage design of the KN-08 is puzzling. While a three stage design is common for solid propellant ICBMs, western analysts are confident North Korea lacks the experience and ability to develop a solid-fueled ICBM.