# Hwasong-16B

The Hwasong-16B (Korean: 《화성포-16나》형; Hancha: 火星砲 16乙型; lit. Mars Artillery Type 16B) is a North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

## Description

Hwasong-16B is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile. It is launched from a seven-axle wheeled transporter erector launcher (TEL). The open-front canister, which in its stored state, has a two-part clam-shell cover on each side. The missile is cold-launched with a gas generator at the end of the launch tube, popping the missile up prior to ignition.
Based on information released after the January 2025 test, it was determined that the Hwasong-16B's engine body used a new composite carbon fiber material. If the Hwasong-16B's range reaches 6,000 km (3,700 mi), it can even attack US military bases in Alaska. Using Hwasong-16B platform, if North Korea reduces the missile structural weight and uses high-energy solid propellant, Hwasong-16B can achieve 8,000 km (5,000 mi) range and become an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Data from test-fires showed that the missile reached a maximum speed of Mach 12 (14,700 km/h). However, the estimated maximum speed of Hwasong-16B is Mach 15 – Mach 18 (18,400–22,100 km/h).

## History

A parade on 10 October 2020 unveiled the existence of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) larger than the Hwasong-15. It was unofficially dubbed the "Hwasong-16" as part of the Hwasong missile series, though subsequent analysis of footage indicated that it was officially called Hwasong-17.
In November 2023, North Korea announced static ground tests of rocket motors for a solid-fueled IRBM.
After the January test with MaRV version, on 19 March 2024, Kim Jong Un oversaw an initial solid-fuel engine test in preparation for another launch. Hwasong-16B officially made its public debut on 2 April 2024, with a flight test. This launch was made with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) payload akin to the one mounted on the Hwasong-8.
Another Hwasong-16B was test-fired on 6 January 2025. North Korea called the missile as "new-type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile" without mentioning official name. The launch was supervised by Kim Jong Un and his daughter. The missile seen in the January 2025 test is identical to the Hwasong-16B missile tested in April 2024.

### List of tests

| Attempt | Date | Location | Pre-launch announcement | Outcome | Additional notes |
| 1 | 2 April 2024, 6:53 am Pyongyang Standard Time | Outskirts of Pyongyang | None | Success | First test where the missile was named as Hwasong-16B. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed the missile traveled 1,000 km (620 mi) and reached a maximum altitude of 101.1 km (62.8 mi), and subsequently engaged in a pull-up maneuver reaching an altitude of 72.3 km (44.9 mi). South Korean military assessments said it flew 600 km (370 mi), while Japan's Ministry of Defense estimated a range of 650 km (400 mi), suggesting the HGV test did not successful. The maximum speed was Mach 5 (6,100 km/h). Kim Jong Un supervised the launch, with senior officials attending. The launch coincided with a joint US/Japan/South Korea trilateral flight exercise. |
| 2 | 6 January 2025, around 12:00 pm Pyongyang Standard Time | Outskirts of Pyongyang | None | Success | Japanese and South Korean data showed the missile flew approximately 1,100 km (680 mi). Japan also stated that the missile's apogee was around 100 km (62 mi). North Korean data showed the missile flew 1,500 km (930 mi), with a first apogee of 99.8 km (62.0 mi) and a secondary apogee of 42.5 km (26.4 mi). The maximum speed was Mach 12 (14,700 km/h). However, according to South Korean military, the KCNA's report was most likely exaggerated, as South Korea did not detect a secondary apogee and the detected range was around 1,100 km (680 mi). |

### Responses after Hwasong-16B's maiden flight

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace researcher Ankit Panda, described the transition to solid-fuel rockets as a heavily favored play by Kim, noting that "There are obvious strategic advantages to an all-solid-fuel force for them in the form of greater promptness, responsiveness, and survivability,"
The launch was condemned by the United Kingdom as a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch as "damaging for regional and international peace and stability".
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed a joint investigation ongoing with the U.S., and subsequently on 3 April 2024 it seized a ship off the coast of South Korea in violation of North Korean sanctions.

## Variants
### MaRV variant

Prior to the April 2024 test of Hwasong-16B with hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), in January 2024, a variant of Hwasong-16B with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) was tested. The official name of this variant may be Hwasong-16A, but it remains unconfirmed.

### MIRV test vehicle

The two-stage solid-propellant booster, which was used for the tests of Hwasong-16A and Hwasong-16B, was unofficially called as Hwasong-16. It is based on the Hwasong-18 solid-fueled ICBM.
On 26 June 2024, North Korea test-fired a missile using the first stage of Hwasong-16 to test multiple independently-targeted reentry vehicles (MIRVs). The missile that had the first stage to be used in this test was not officially named, instead, North Korean state media depicting it as "an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile" and claimed the test was a success. According to South Korea and Japan, the missile flew 250 km (160 mi) with an apogee of 100 km (62 mi), failed to release any warhead and exploded in midair before falling into Sea of Japan.
The nose cone of the MIRV test vehicle resembling that of Hwasong-17.