# Hwasong-12A

The Hwasong-12A (Korean: 《화성-12가》형; lit. Mars Type 12A) is presumed to be the official designation for a North Korean single-stage, liquid-fueled, hypersonic ballistic missile.
The missile is also known as Hypersonic Missile Type 2 (Korean: 극초음속 미사일 2형) under South Korean naming convention.

## Description

The missile is believed to be a Hwasong-12-based medium-range or intermediate-range ballistic missile. However, after the missile's public debut, South Korean researchers initially assessed the missile to be an anti-aircraft missile with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) payload. Its assumed range is over 2,000 km (1,200 mi).
The shape of the reentry vehicle (RV) is totally different from Hwasong-8, this having a conical shaped RV. It suggests that North Korea is trying to develop two different types of hypersonic missiles. The MaRV was mounted on a shortened Hwasong-12 booster. From this point of view, American researcher Jeffrey Lewis assessed that conical shape of this missile's warhead seems to be a maneuvering reentry vehicle that has high maneuverability. Also he claimed that framing this missile into 'hypersonic' may mislead to focus speed of this missile. Technically speaking, the missile can be classed as hypersonic, as it exceeds Mach 5 in speed, stays within the atmosphere during the entire flight, and is able to conduct at least one maneuver that deviates from the initial flight direction. However, the shape and relatively modest turning maneuvers demonstrated are more consistent with an MaRV than a boost-glide vehicle (BGV) like the Hwasong-8's RV; although comparatively less maneuverable, an MaRV is a simpler design.

## History

North Korea first tested MaRVs in 2017, with the KN-18 and KN-21 (United States's designations), the modified versions with a maneuverable reentry vehicle of Hwasong-6 and Hwasong-5, respectively. North Korea claimed successful launch test of Hwasong-6's MaRV version (KN-18) on 28 May 2017 since it hit the target with only 7 m (23 ft) error.
In October 2021, this missile was first displayed in "Self-Defence 2021" military exhibition between Hwasong-12 and Pukguksong-5. At the same event, photos of TEL and launching tests of this missile was also shown on the board with blurred name tag. This name tag suggests this missile already has official designation, as North Korean double arrow brackets (《》) used for missile name designation was shown on the name tag.
On 5 January 2022, North Korea tested this missile, and South Korean researchers named this missile as Hypersonic Missile Type 2 since North Korean naming tradition uses "type" (형) rather than "number" (호). This missile was also shown in Self-Defence-2021 besides Hwasong-12. South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff publicized that actual distance of the missile trajectory was less than 700 km (430 mi), but the velocity was about Mach 6. After the official briefing one anonymous official asserted that this missile only has MaRV technology that the Hyunmoo-2C has, and the terminology 'Hypersonic' does not match this missile. The Japanese Defense Ministry's initial assessment suggested that the missile flew 500 km (310 mi), while the day after the launch the KCNA reported that it made a 120 km (75 mi)-long lateral movement before hitting a target 700 km (430 mi) away. This could account for the range discrepancy if the glider separation happened at low altitude and so was not picked up by Japanese sensors.
Just days after the first test, on 10 January 2022, North Korea launched this missile for the second time. Kim Jong Un observed the test and KCNA reported it involved a hypersonic glide vehicle, which after its release from the rocket booster demonstrated "glide jump flight" and "corkscrew maneuvering" before landing 1,000 km (620 mi) away. South Korea's JCS claimed the missile flew 700 km at a maximum speed of around Mach 10; although they had claimed North Korea exaggerated the details of their previous test, with this one they stated it had demonstrated "more advanced capability" compared to the last test, though how was not explained. While observers believe North Korea is still years away from developing a credible hypersonic system, Kim's attendance and state media's description of the launch as a "final test-fire" could indicate that the weapon may be operational deployed relatively soon. Japanese tracking data showed the missile turned sharply before landing in the sea, suggesting it was a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.
North Korea displayed six Hwasong-12A missiles in a military parade on 25 April 2022.

## List of tests
### Confirmed tests

| Attempt | Date | Location | Pre-launch announcement / detection | Outcome | Additional notes |
| 1 | 5 January 2022 | Chagang Province | None | Success | Korean Central News Agency announced that the test was successful, "precisely hit a set target 700 km away" and the missile made a "120 km lateral movement." However officials in South Korea's defense ministry mentioned that the KCNA's announcement was "exaggerated." |
| 2 | 11 January 2022 | Chagang Province | None | Success | South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff had said the North Korean missile flew 700 km (430 mi) at a maximum speed of around Mach 10 before landing. But KCNA claimed the missile flew 1,000 km (620 mi) and hit the sea target. Japanese tracking data showed the missile turned sharply before landing in the sea, suggesting it was a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it. Kim Jong Un and Kim Yo Jong came to watch the missile launch. It was Kim Jong Un's first visit of a missile test launch site in 661 days. |

### Unconfirmed tests

American astronomer and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell claimed that the missile, called as Hwasong-12A by him, was used for following tests on these dates (Pyongyang time):
* 27 February 2022
* 5 March 2022
* 5 May 2022
* 25 May 2022 (two tests)
According to Jonathan McDowell, four of five tests were carried out to test reconnaissance satellite components.