The Hwasong-14 (U.S. designation KN-20) is a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), first tested on July 4, 2017. It is the first ICBM North Korea has flown. The missile has an estimated range in excess of 10,000 km, making it capable of reaching most of the continental United States.

Hwasong-14 at a Glance Originated from: North Korea

Possessed by: North Korea

Alternative name(s): KN-20

Class: Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

Basing: Transporter-erector, platform-launched

Length: 19.8 m

Diameter: 1.85 m

Launch weight: Unknown

Payload: Presumed HE or nuclear

Propulsion: Two-stage, liquid-fueled

Range: 10,000+ km

Status: In development

In service: First seen July 4, 2017

July 2017 Flight Tests

North Korea successfully flight tested the Hwasong-14 for the first time on July 4, 2017. The missile was launched from Panghyon and traveled for around 39 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. North Korean press statements claimed the missile could “strike anywhere on earth.”

Although this statement is untrue, the Hwasong-14 is the first North Korean missile able to reach mainland North America. The missile flew on a lofted trajectory to a range of around 930 km, and an altitude of 2,803 kilometers. Based on this performance, it was initially estimated that the Hwasong-14 could potentially reach up to 8,000 kilometers if fired in an easterly direction. It has been reported that the U.S. government has assessed that the missile’s range to be between 7,000-9,500 km.

Hwasong-14’s performance during its July 28 test, however, well exceeded that, flying for around 47 minutes, to a range of 1,000 km and an altitude of 3,700 km. According to one report, the missile’s increased flight time, range, and altitude is due to differing burn times of the missile’s two stages and structural modifications. In the July 4 test, the Hwasong-14’s first stage burned for 145 seconds and second stage for 233 seconds. On July 28, by contrast, the missile’s first stage burned for 151 (+6) seconds and second stage for 224 (-9) seconds. The latter Hwasong-14 was also structurally different from that of the previous launch, with yaw maneuvering motors added on to the missile’s second stage.

Based on its July 28 performance, the Hwasong-14 could have a range of over 10,000 km if flown on a range-maximizing ballistic trajectory. This is far enough to reach the majority of the continental United States. If factoring in the rotation of the Earth, which provides a range boost when travelling eastward, the Hwasong-14’s coverage area would include the West Coast, Chicago, and possibly even New York.

Hwasong-14 Design and Development

The Hwasong-14 is likely a two-staged version of the single-stage Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which North Korea first tested in May 2017 to a range of around 4,500 kilometers.