Hwasong-7

{{use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Hwasong-7 | image = Rodong-1.png | image_size = 50 | alt = | caption = Artist rendition of the missile | type = Medium-range ballistic missile | origin = North Korea  | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = yes | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = | is_missile = yes | is_UK =  | service = 1998−present | used_by = See {{section link|#Operators}} | wars =  | designer = | design_date = | manufacturer = | developed_from = | developed_into = | unit_cost = | production_date = 1990–present | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | mass = | length = {{convert|15.6|m|abbr=on}} | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = {{convert|1.25|m|abbr=on}} | crew = | passengers =  | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse =  | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type =  | filling = Conventional, possibly nuclear | filling_weight = {{convert|700-1000|kg|abbr=on}} (estimated) | detonation = | yield =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | drive = | transmission = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = {{convert|1000-1500|km|abbr=on}} (estimated) | speed = | guidance = Inertial | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = TM-185 and AK-27I | ceiling = | altitude = {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}} (lofted trajectory) | boost = | depth = | accuracy = {{convert|190-2000|m|abbr=on}} CEP | launch_platform = | transport =  | ref = }} The '''Hwasong-7''' ({{korean|hangul=《화성-7》형|lit=Mars Type 7|context=north}}) is a single-stage, mobile liquid propellant medium-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. Developed in the mid-1980s, it is a scaled-up adaptation of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missiles, more commonly known by its NATO reporting name "Scud". The inventory is estimated to be around 200–300 missiles.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-08-16|first1=Gabriel|last1=Dominguez|first2=Neil|last2=Gibson|url=http://www.janes.com/article/62967/south-korea-s-military-to-increase-number-of-hyunmoo-missiles-says-report |title=South Korea's military to increase number of Hyunmoo missiles, says report|access-date=2017-07-13|website=Janes Information Services |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730112920/http://www.janes.com/article/62967/south-korea-s-military-to-increase-number-of-hyunmoo-missiles-says-report |archive-date=2017-07-30 }}</ref> US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017 fewer than 100 launchers were operationally deployed.{{sfn|DIBMAC|2017|page=25}}

It influenced the design of Pakistan's Ghauri-1 missile,<ref>{{Cite web|first=Michael|last=Elleman|date=2016-09-22|title=North Korea-Iran Missile Cooperation|url=https://www.38north.org/2016/09/melleman092216/|access-date=2021-03-06|website=38 North|language=en}}</ref> as well as the Iranian Ghadr-110.<ref name="nkinb">{{cite web |last1=Brügge |first1=Norbert |title=The North-Korean/Iranian Nodong-Shahab missile family |url=https://b14643.eu/Spacerockets/Specials/Nodong/index.htm |access-date=2025-02-08|publisher=Norbert Brügge|date=2 May 2020}}</ref><ref name=usdod01>{{cite book|author=U.S. Department of Defense |title=Proliferation: Threat and Response |year=2001 |url=https://fas.org/irp/threat/prolif00.pdf|publisher=DIANE Publishing |pages=38 |isbn=1-4289-8085-7}}</ref>

==Description== [[File:North_Korean_missile_range.svg|thumb|Estimated maximum range of some North Korean missiles, including Hwasong-7<ref>{{Cite news|title=How potent are North Korea's threats?|date=15 September 2015|newspaper=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21710644|access-date=2025-02-08}}</ref>]]

Hwasong-7 is a larger variant of the R-17, scaled up so its cross-sectional area is about doubled, with a diameter of {{convert|1.25|m|ft|sigfig=1}} and a length of {{convert|15.6|m|ft}}. The precise capabilities and specifications of the missile are unknown; even the fact of its production and deployment are controversial.<ref name=rand-2012>{{cite report |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1268.html |title=Characterizing the North Korean Nuclear Missile Threat |first=Markus|last=Schiller |publisher=RAND Corporation |id=TR-1268-TSF |isbn=978-0-8330-7621-2 |year=2012 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref>

Its aerodynamic design is stable, reducing the need for modern active stabilization systems while the missile is flying in the denser lower atmosphere.<ref name=rand-2012/> The Hwasong-7 uses the liquid propellant combination of TM-185 (20% gasoline and 80% kerosene) and AK-27I (27% {{chem2|N2O4|link=Dinitrogen tetroxide}} and 73% {{chem2|HNO3|link=Nitric acid}}).<ref name="FAS">{{cite web|first=Charles P.|last=Vick |title=No-Dong 1 - North Korea |url=https://nuke.fas.org/guide/dprk/missile/nd-1.htm |website=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=6 November 2024}}</ref> Unlike modern missiles, Hwasong-7 can only be fueled when vertical, meaning it cannot be fueled before transport. With a {{cvt|1000|kg|abbr=on}} warhead, its range is estimated to be {{cvt|900|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name=rand-2012/> Further range analysis includes a range of {{cvt|1000-1500|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=ArmsControlCenterRodong /> to a high-end estimation of {{cvt|2000|km|abbr=on}}, meaning all South Korean territories, as well as Japan, Russia and China are covered by Hwasong-7's range.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-07|url=https://gialaitv.vn/han-quoc-lo-ngai-trieu-tien-lap-dau-dan-hat-nhan-cho-ten-lua-tam-trung/|title=Hàn Quốc lo ngại Triều Tiên lắp đầu đạn hạt nhân cho tên lửa tầm trung|trans-title=South Korea concerns that North Korea may mount nuclear warhead on medium-range missile|website=Gia Lai TV|publisher=Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio, Television|lang=vi|access-date=2026-04-20}}</ref>

It has an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of {{cvt|1000-2000|m|abbr=on}}, but it can be reduced to between {{convert|190|m|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}} with GPS guidance.<ref name="FAS" /><ref name=schilling-2015>{{cite report |url=http://38north.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NKNF_Delivery-Systems.pdf |title=The Future of North Korean Nuclear Delivery Systems |first1=John|last1=Schilling|first2=Henry|last2=Kan |publisher=US-Korea Institute at SAIS |year=2015 |access-date=30 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413010356/http://38north.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NKNF_Delivery-Systems.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2015 }}</ref> North Korea is believed to possess some 300 Hwasong-7 missiles and fewer than 50 mobile launchers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Song|first=Sang-ho|date=2013-03-04 |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/5248|title=Around 70% of N.K. missiles target S. Korea|access-date=2025-02-08 |website=The Korea Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/NASIC2009.pdf |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |work=National Air and Space Intelligence Center |publisher=Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency |id=NASIC-1031-0985-09 |date=April 2009 }}</ref>

To enable interception at higher altitudes, South Korea is indigenously developing the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM),<ref name=Yonhap160km /> and on 8 July 2016 the U.S. agreed to deploy one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in Seongju County, in the south of South Korea, by the end of 2017.<ref name=xinhua-20160804>{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/04/c_135564043.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805200603/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/04/c_135564043.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 5, 2016 |title=Shift in THAAD site in S. Korea nothing to solve controversies |last=Yoo |first=Seungki |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=4 August 2016 |access-date=4 August 2016}}</ref>

===Naming=== The "Hwasong-7" is the North Korean internal designation for the missile.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=282}} The missile is also known by external designations from Western analysts, including ''Rodong-1'', ''No Dong-1'',<ref name="missilethreat">{{Cite web|date=2016-08-09|title=Hwasong-7 (Nodong 1)|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/no-dong/|access-date=2026-05-03|website=Missile Threat|publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies}}</ref> ''Rodong'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Korean nuclear forces (2021)|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/SIPRIYB22c10sIX.pdf|access-date=2026-05-03|website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|page=6|quote=Assuming that North Korea is able to produce a sufficiently compact warhead, independent assessments indicate that the size, range and operational status of the Hwasong-7 (Nodong or Rodong) MRBM make it the system most likely to be given a nuclear delivery role.}}</ref> ''Nodong'', ''Scud-D'',<ref>{{Cite web|first=Gunter D.|last=Krebs|title=Hwasong-7 ("Nodong") MRBM|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/nodong.htm|access-date=2026-05-03|website=Gunter's Space Page|quote=The North Korean Hwasong-7, also known as Nodong (or Scud-D), missile is a North Korean development of the Scud technology [...] The Nodong designator is a western designation.}}</ref> ''Scud Mod-D'' and ''Nodong-A''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |last2=Hess |first2=Ashley |title=The Evolving Military Balance in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia: Missile, DPRK and ROK Nuclear Forces, and External Nuclear Forces |date=2013 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-2520-6 |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OH3yAwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>

===Variant for reconnaissance satellite testing=== {{See also|Malligyong-1#Reconnaissance satellite plans and component tests}} Hwasong-7 has a variant with white livery for reconnaissance satellite cameras testing.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Norbert|last=Brügge|title=NADAS's [sic] small launcher to testing a camera for reconnaissance satellite|url=https://b14643.eu/Spacerockets/Specials/NADA's_small_launcher/index.htm|access-date=2025-01-10|website=b14643.eu|publisher=Norbert Brügge}}</ref> On 18 December 2022, North Korea launched two medium-range ballistic missiles from Sohae Satellite Launching Station, flying {{cvt|500|km|abbr=on}} with an apogee of {{cvt|550|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="nti">{{Cite web|title=The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database|url=https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/north_korea_missile_test_database.xlsx|access-date=2025-01-03|date=2024-11-12|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative}}</ref> According to North Korea, the test was organized by the National Aerospace Development Administration to evaluate reconnaissance satellite components, including camera and data transmission system.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 December 2022|title=NADA Conducts Important Test for Development of Reconnaissance Satellite|url=http://kcna.co.jp/item/2022/202212/news19/20221219-01ee.html|access-date=2025-01-10|website=Korean Central News Agency}} For images, see [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/kcna-watch/kcna_kp_en/images/PIC0071277.jpg 1] and [https://assets.korearisk.com/uploads/kcna-watch/kcna_kp_en/images/PIC0071278.jpg 2].</ref> Released images included an photo indicating the missiles appeared to be a derivation from Hwasong-7 or Scud missile.<ref name="nti" />

==History==

It is believed North Korea obtained R-17 designs from Egypt, and possibly modified designs from China, allowing them to reverse-engineer them into a larger and longer-distance weapon. United States reconnaissance satellites first detected this type in May 1990 at the Musudan-ri test launch facility, in northeastern North Korea.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bluth|first1=Christoph|title=Crisis on the Korean Peninsula|date=July 31, 2011|publisher=Potomac Books Inc.|isbn=9781597975773|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QsB7WfdvNaQC&q=rodong+satellites+1990&pg=PT59|access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> A test launch happened at the same time, but likely failed, since burn marks were captured by photographs at the launch site. Later, low-rate production started in January 1991 and North Korea conducted another test-fire of Hwasong-7 in May 1993. Also, between 1993 and 1994, North Korea had produced a sufficient number of Hwasong-7 missiles to be considered operational,<ref name="jsb">{{cite book|first=Joseph S.|last=Bermudez Jr.|title=A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK|date=1999|publisher=Center for Nonproliferation Studies|url=https://www.nonproliferation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/op2.pdf|access-date=2026-05-03|pages=21–22}}</ref> and five years later, Hwasong-7 became deployed.<ref name=ArmsControlCenterRodong>{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Dueyon |title=Fact Sheet: North Korea's Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs |url=http://armscontrolcenter.org/fact-sheet-north-koreas-nuclear-and-ballistic-missile-programs/ |website=The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation |access-date=5 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618044352/http://armscontrolcenter.org/fact-sheet-north-koreas-nuclear-and-ballistic-missile-programs/ |archive-date=18 June 2016 |date=1 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

North Korea test-fired Hwasong-7 missiles in 2006, 2009,<ref name="missilethreat" /> as well as 2014, in which North Korea fires two missiles that flew {{cvt|650|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name=bbc-20140326>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26743197 |title=North Korea test-fires 'ballistic' missiles |publisher=BBC News |date=26 March 2014 |access-date=26 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=nyt-20140325>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/world/asia/north-korea-launches-two-midrange-missiles.html |title=North Korea Launches Two Midrange Missiles |last=Choe |first=Sang-Hun |newspaper=New York Times |date=25 March 2014 |access-date=31 March 2014}}</ref>

Although it has an estimated range of {{convert|1,000-1,500|km|mi|abbr=on}}, launches in March 2014 flew only {{convert|650|km|mi|abbr=on}}, as the missiles flew to an altitude of {{cvt|160|km|abbr=on}} because of lofted trajectory. The missiles achieved a maximum speed of {{cvt|7|Mach|km/h|abbr=on}}. U.S. and South Korean Patriot PAC-2/3 interceptors are more specialized to hit ballistic missiles up to {{cvt|400|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Yonhap160km>{{cite news |title=NK's March missile test aimed at evading interceptor systems: sources |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20140619004600315 |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=19 June 2014}}</ref>

On 5 September 2016, North Korea fired three missiles into the Sea of Japan, these missiles achieved about {{convert|1,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} range. Initially, these missiles were believed to be Hwasong-7,<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web|first1=James|last1=Griffiths|first2=K.J.|last2=Kwon|date=2016-09-05 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/05/asia/north-korea-ballistic-missiles/|title=North Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles; Japan calls it 'serious threat'|access-date=2025-02-08 |website=CNN}}</ref> however, it was later revealed that the missiles used for this launch were Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER).<ref name="nti" /><ref name="38n">{{Cite web|first1=Markus|last1=Schiller|first2=Robert H.|last2=Schmucker|date=8 November 2016|title=Flashback to the Past: North Korea's "New" Extended-Range Scud|url=https://www.38north.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Scud-ER-110816_Schiller_Schmucker.pdf|access-date=2025-01-01|website=38 North}}</ref> The United States strongly condemned the launch.<ref name="CNN" />

===Exporting=== The Hwasong-7's technology has been exported to foreign nations (such as Iran and Pakistan) in secrecy on the basis of mutual exchange of technologies, with Iran being one of the largest beneficiaries of such technology. Successful variants were tested and deployed by Iran after developing the Shahab-3 which is roughly based on Hwasong-7.<ref name="nkinb" />{{sfn|DIBMAC|2017|page=23}} The May 1993 test of Hwasong-7 is believed to be observed by Iranian and Pakistani delegations.<ref name="jsb" /> Some press reports (including ''The Sunday Telegraph'', ''Jerusalem Post'', and ''Janes'') claimed that Libya signed a contract for a total of 50 Nodong systems in October 1999, with the first batch delivered in July 2000, however such rumors proved to be false when Libya voluntarily dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs in December 2003 and invited foreign inspectors to verify the disarmament process. In that same year, US inspectors learned that Iraq attempted to buy Nodong missiles, but the North Koreans never delivered the missiles and refused to refund the $10 million down payment.{{sfn|Pinkston|2008|pages=20,70}}

==Operators== ===Current===

* {{flag|Iran}} − Ghadr-110 used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.{{sfn|IISS|2024a|page=354}} * {{flag|North Korea}} − Used by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=282}} According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing about 10 Hwasong-7 launchers.<ref name="IISS2025">{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2025 |date=12 February 2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1041049678 |edition=1st}}</ref>{{rp|268}} * {{flag|Pakistan}} − Hatf 5 Ghauri used by the Army Strategic Forces Command.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=301}}

===Unconfirmed===

* {{flag|Egypt}} − Reportedly was interested in buying Nodong missiles, but photographic evidence only shows Scud-Bs or possibly Scud-Cs in use.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hinz |first1=Fabian |title=After half a century Egypt's Scuds soldier on |url=https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2023/06/after-half-a-century-egypts-scuds-soldier-on/ |website=Military Balance Blog |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en |date=16 June 2023}}</ref> * {{flag|Ba'athist Syria}} − Developed a localized version of the Nodong missile. Reportedly received 50 missiles and seven TELs from North Korea in 2000.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |last2=Nerguizian |first2=Aram |last3=Popescu |first3=Inout C. |title=Israel and Syria: The Military Balance and Prospects of War |date=2008 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-0-313-35521-9 |pages=204−205 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ooDDEAAAQBAJ&dq=nodong+missile+syria&pg=PA204 |language=en}}</ref> According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Syrian Arab Army doesn't operate MRBMs as of 2024.{{sfn|IISS|2024a|page=386}}

===Failed bids=== * {{flag|Iraq|1991}} − Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Baghdad placed an order for Nodong missiles and made a $10 million down payment, but North Korea never delivered the missiles.{{sfn|Pinkston|2008|page=20}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Bibliography== *{{cite report |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |url=https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 |website=National Air and Space Intelligence Center |publisher=Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee |access-date=6 November 2024 |date=2017 |ref={{SfnRef|DIBMAC|2017}}}} *{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Five: Asia |journal=The Military Balance |date=12 February 2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=218–327 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}} |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |url-access=subscription }} *{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Six: Middle East and North Africa |journal=The Military Balance |date=12 February 2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=328–395 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594 |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024a}} |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |url-access=subscription }} *{{cite book |last1=Pinkston |first1=Daniel A. |title=The North Korean Ballistic Missile Program |date=2008 |publisher=Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College |isbn=978-1-58487-342-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YckrAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}

==External links== * [http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/no-dong/ CSIS Missile Threat - No-Dong 1] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20141014164808/http://cns.miis.edu/stories/pdfs/060321.pdf CNS report North Korea's Ballistic Missile Capabilities 2006] * Center for Nonproliferation Studies, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150515004107/http://cns.miis.edu/archive/country_north_korea/msl.htm North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program] * National Threat Initiative, [http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/NK/Missile/1363.html Nodong: Overview and Technical Assessment]

Category:Ballistic missiles of North Korea Category:Medium-range ballistic missiles Category:Medium-range ballistic missiles of North Korea Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s