North Korean unified nuclear warhead "Hwasan-31"
The head of the DPRK and products "Hwasan-31"
The defense industry of the DPRK is developing the country's nuclear missile potential and regularly demonstrates the results of this process. So, the other day, for the first time, a nuclear warhead of the new development Hwasan-31 was shown. This product is characterized by limited dimensions and weight, which allows it to be used on different means of delivery. The appearance of such a munition can significantly affect the appearance and capabilities of the North Korean nuclear forces.
On an official visit
On March 28, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the day before, President Kim Jong-un, accompanied by representatives of the armed forces and the leadership of the defense industry, visited the Institute of Nuclear weapons DPRK. The organization reported on the work carried out and ongoing, and also showed the latest developments in the field of missile and nuclear weapons.
On the occasion of the visit of a high delegation, the Nuclear Weapons Institute organized a small exhibition, within which it showed modern developments. So, in the exhibition hall, several samples of missile weapons were placed on transport trolleys. A number of types of ballistic and cruise missiles shown are well known to those skilled in the art; There were no updates this time.
Another exhibit of the exhibition is of the greatest interest. The Institute of Nuclear Weapons for the first time openly showed the new nuclear warhead "Hwasan-31" ("Volcano-31"). Several such products or their models were present at the exhibition at once. Next to the warheads were informational posters, revealing the main features of the project and its prospects.
It is reported that the Hwasan-31 product was developed as a unified combat equipment for various delivery vehicles. According to the presented posters, it can be carried by ballistic and cruise missiles of a number of modern types. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that in the future the range of carriers will expand due to promising developments.
Kim Jong-un got acquainted with the latest developments of the Nuclear Weapons Institute and highly appreciated them. The head of state advised nuclear scientists not to stop there and continue to work on creating new devices and products. Such measures will help to maintain and improve the system of deterrence of the enemy and secure the country.
Unified ammunition
The Nuclear Weapons Institute showed the Hwasan-31 products or their mock-ups, repeating the original design. Thanks to this, the appearance of such a warhead is now known and its dimensions can be estimated. At the same time, even the main tactical and technical characteristics are not disclosed. Given the policy of the DPRK in the field of secrecy, it is hardly worth hoping that such information will appear even in the foreseeable future.
Block "Hwasan-31" is made in a case of a fairly simple form. Its main part has a cylindrical shape. The front cover is made conical with a hemispherical head, the tail has the shape of a truncated cone. Available materials suggest that the diameter of the product is in the range of 500-550 mm, the length is about 800 mm. The mass of the block is unknown. Judging by the known data, it can be quite large, but does not exceed 400-500 kg.
There is no information about the design and characteristics of the charge. The case can contain both a "normal" atomic and thermonuclear charge. According to known data, the DPRK has both technologies. The detonation power achievable with such dimensions can be estimated at tens of kilotons. This allows the warhead to be used in weapons complexes of the operational-tactical level.
Delivery vehicles
According to the posters presented at the exhibition, the Vulkan-31 warhead is compatible with eight modern or advanced delivery vehicles of various kinds. The main carriers of the product are cruise and ballistic missiles, but the possibility of deployment with other carriers is not excluded.
The Hwasan-31 fits under the nose fairing of a 600mm multiple rocket launcher known by the foreign designation KN-25. With the help of such a carrier, the charge is supposedly sent to a distance of at least 350-380 km. The missile is guided and guided by pre-entered coordinates.
The warhead can be carried by Khvasal-1/2 strategic cruise missiles. During tests, such products of a later modification showed a flight range of 2 thousand km and the ability to bypass and break through enemy air defenses.
Also, "Hwasan-31" can be placed on all ballistic missiles of the latest models of North Korean development. Such carriers make it possible to deliver a warhead to targets at distances from hundreds to thousands of kilometers with sufficient accuracy.
Of particular interest is the proposal to deploy a nuclear warhead on a crewless submersible kamikaze boat "Kheir-1". This product has already been tested and has shown its ability to covertly deliver a warhead to the enemy's coast. The Hwasan-31 product will give it the ability to hit large targets such as ports, as well as infect the area.
Development trends
North Korea acquired nuclear weapons quite a long time ago - the first tests of a warhead of its own design took place in the middle of the XNUMXs. In the future, as far as is known, various new warheads were developed, put into production and put into service. Several times such products were shown to the public.
Another such demonstration took place the other day. At the same time, she was not limited only to showing the combat unit. The Nuclear Weapons Institute revealed the purpose of the Hwasan-31 product, and also exposed some of its regular carriers. In fact, without naming specific characteristics, North Korean industry has shown its technological capabilities and ability to develop and implement new concepts.
Kim Jong-un examines the head compartment of a 600mm KN-25 rocket
The Hwasan-31 warhead may be the latest development of the North Korean industry in the field of nuclear weapons. In this case, it demonstrates the current state of the industry and its potential. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that the next generation of warheads with a different combination of characteristics is already being developed, but these projects still remain secret.
Of particular interest is the concept of a unified nuclear weapon compatible with multiple delivery vehicles. This approach has already been used by the leading nuclear powers, and now it is being implemented by the DPRK. This means that the Korean military and scientists are taking into account foreign experience and using it to accelerate and simplify the development of their own nuclear forces.
The current level of technology has made it possible to make the Hwasan-31 charge quite compact and light, which expands the range of its possible carriers. According to the disclosed data, eight types of delivery vehicles have already been adapted to it. At the same time, it should be remembered that the DPRK continues to work on missile and other weapons, and regularly presents new developments of this kind. Accordingly, any new model may turn out to be a potential carrier of a new unified warhead.
The unification of various missile and naval strike systems in terms of warhead has obvious advantages. Thus, the industry can focus on one product instead of several different ones, which will reduce the complexity and cost of production. It will also simplify the operation and maintenance of warheads in the troops. Nuclear weapons make high demands in terms of storage and operation, and the transition to a single warhead will make it easier to meet these conditions.
Near the rocket "Hwaseongpo-11"
The combat potential of the Hwasan-31 product can be used in many ways through the use of certain compatible media. Missiles, cruise and ballistic, are capable of delivering a charge to a target at different ranges, incl. bypassing or breaking through enemy defenses. The recently announced kamikaze boat, in turn, will allow attacks from the sea. In this case, the impact on the target will be approximately at the same level - due to the common warhead.
Containment issues
Thus, the DPRK continues to build its nuclear forces capable of solving tasks at the strategic and operational-tactical levels. New delivery vehicles are being developed and regularly demonstrated, and now a promising special ammunition has been shown.
The exact characteristics of the Hwasan-31 product remain unknown. The state of the project is also in question - it is not clear whether we are talking about an experimental product or whether it has already gone into series and entered the troops. However, even if the necessary secrecy is observed, the new unified warhead speaks volumes and even in this form is quite capable of becoming one of the means of deterring a potential enemy.
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