The No Dong 1 is a medium-range, road-mobile, liquid propellant, ballistic missile. It appears to be an enhanced version of the Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) missile. The No Dong 1 also likely incorporates design features of the Russian R-21 (SS-N-5 ‘Sark’) and the R-5 missile. Numerous reports suggest that the North Koreans received assistance from Russian and Chinese scientists.

No Dong at a Glance Originated From: North Korea

Possessed By: North Korea

Class: Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)

Basing: Road-mobile

Length: 16.2 m

Diameter: 1.36 m

Launch Weight: 16,500 kg

Payload: Single warhead, 1200 kg

Warhead: Nuclear, chemical, HE or submunitions

Propulsion: Single-stage liquid propellant

Range: 1,200-1,500 km

Status: Operational

In Service: 1994

Initial development of the missile is believed to have begun in the mid 1980’s, entered production in 1994, and began active service in 1995. In 2006, the United States estimated that North Korea’s inventory of No Dong 1 missiles was approximately 200. By 2009, reports indicated that this stockpile may have increased to 300 missiles.

Iran and Pakistan field missile nearly identical to the No-Dong, the Shahab-3 and Ghauri (Hatf-5), respectively. It possible that Iran and Pakistan contributed to the No Dong development program.

Reports of the No Dong 1’s range varies, with most approximations falling between 1,200-1,500 km. The accuracy of the missile is estimated to be 2,000 m CEP when deployed at maximum range. It is believed to be 16.2 m in length, 1.36 m in diameter, and a launch weight of 16,500 kg. It is equipped with a 1,200 kg separating warhead that can deploy 800 kg of HE-unitary, chemical, submunitions, or medium-yield nuclear weapons. It can be launched from a converted Russian Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle design and from converted North Korean military vehicles.