Hwasong-18

• Name — Hwasong-18 • Type — Intercontinental ballistic missile • Origin — North Korea • Service — 2023–present • Used By — Korean People's Army Strategic Force • Manufacturer — North Korea • Production Date — 2023–present • Number — Unknown • Weight — 55–60 tons (estimated) • Length — (estimated) • Diameter — (estimated) • Filling — nuclear weapon, possibly MIRV • Is Missile — yes • Engine — three stage solid fuel rocket motor • Propellant — solid fuel • Altitude — (lofted trajectory) • Launch Platform — 9-axle transporter erector launcher

• Hangul — ^화성포-18형 • Hanja — 火星砲18型 • Lk — Mars Artillery Type 18 The Hwasong-18 is a North Korean three-stage solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is the first solid-fueled ICBM developed by North Korea, and was first unveiled at the 8 February 2023 parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. Its maiden flight occurred on 13 April 2023.

During a military parade in April 2017, North Korea displayed two types of missile canister. These canisters may indicate solid-fueled missile projects, including a solid-fueled ICBM. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un first alluded to the development of a solid-fuel ICBM in January 2021 when it was included as part of a five-year arms development plan. A static ground test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor was conducted on 15 December 2022 which produced a thrust of 140 metric tons of force.

Hwasong-18 was revealed during 8 February 2023 parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army. Four nine-axle mobile launchers carrying what appeared to be solid-fuel ICBM models, and the TV announcer only called these Hwasong-18 launchers as "Hwasong-class missiles" without mentioning official name. They were carried in canisters to fire the missiles by cold launch to eject them before first-stage ignition to protect the launcher from damage by the exhaust plume. These models were clearly of a different design than the previous large Pukguksong-5 solid-fueled SLBM. The Hwasong-18's maiden flight test was carried out on 13 April 2023. The first stage followed a standard trajectory optimized for reaching maximum range, but the second and third stages pulled up into a highly-lofted trajectory; this unusual flight path caused Japan to issue a missile alarm, as during the first stage burn it appeared that the missile could overfly the country. North Korea test-fired Hwasong-18 for the second time on 12 July 2023 and became the longest flight time and highest apogee of any North Korean ICBM flight as of launch date (nearly 75 minutes and apogee). After the 12 July 2023 test, North Korea displayed Hwasong-18 at a military parade on 27 July 2023. A third consecutive successful launch was occurred on 18 December 2023. The test and North Korea's characterization of it as the "launching drill of an ICBM unit" likely confirmed that the Hwasong-18 is operational.

An evolution of Hwasong-18, Hwasong-19, was unveiled on 31 October 2024 with a flight test.

• Attempt — Date — Location — Pre-launch announcement — Outcome — Additional notes — References • 1 — 13 April 2023, 07:23 a.m. Pyongyang Standard Time — Jindallae Residence, Kangdong County, Pyongyang — None — First test flight of the Hwasong-18. The missile flew in a lofted trajectory with an apogee of around and a flight distance of around. According to North Korean state media, the launch has no negative impact with neighbor countries's security. Kim Jong Un supervised the launch along with his daughter, wife and sister. • 2 — 12 July 2023 — Jindallae Residence, Kangdong County, Pyongyang — None — Second test flight of the Hwasong-18. The missile flew for 74 minutes and 51 seconds with an apogee of and a flight distance of. Kim Jong Un supervised the launch. • 3 — 18 December 2023, 08:24 a.m. Pyongyang Standard Time — Pyongyang — None — Third test flight of Hwasong-18, with the missile flying for 73 minutes, achieving apogee and covering ground track. The Korean Central News Agency stated that the launch was to review the readiness of the North Korea's nuclear war deterrence against a potential United States adversary. It occurred not long after another missile launch that took place on the previous day. Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch along with his daughter.

In September 2023, the Hwasong-18, along with Hwasong-17 and Hwasal-2, was reported to be featured in patriotic desks for wearing. In December 2023, North Korea introduced a propaganda poster featuring Hwasong-18, along with Hwasong-17, the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite and mockup of a solid-fuel missile canister that was displayed during the April 2017 military parade. On 27 July 2024, the Korea Stamp Corporation unveiled postage stamps featuring Hwasong-18.