Thread by @JosephHDempsey

#NorthKorea claims successful test launches of newly developed long-range cruise missile on 11 & 12 September

A reminder #NorthKorea publicly confirmed cruise missile development at the January 2021 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)

In Oct 2020 and again in Jan 2021 #NorthKorea paraded a new launchers which @IISS_org reported as reminiscent of a ground-launched land-attack cruise-missile system with a tubes considered too long and thin for SAM. iiss.org/blogs/military…

However the image #NorthKorea released shows a different launch vehicle and missile tubes to the suspected parade variant.

https://twitter.com/JosephHDempsey/status/1437178838023380994?s=20

#NorthKorea claims a flight time of 7580seconds (2hr 6min 20sec) over 1500km figure 8 course in one test.

This equates to an average speed of 713kph/443mph - the actual cruise speed therefore will be slightly higher.

Let's not forget #NorthKorea technically already had cruise missiles - albeit a shorter range anti-ship system - the Kumsong-3 (KN-SS-N-2 Stormpetrel) based on the Soviet Kh-35

#NorthKorea Kumgsong-3 AShM turbofan or derivative - with embedded design and scoop air intake - would seem likely candidate to power its new cruise missile, taking into account size and performance variables coupled with greater fuel capacity.

Some additions thoughts for @nknewsorg on #NorthKorea new cruise missile

nknews.org/2021/09/north-…

"a long-range cruise missile could pose additional challenges for South Korea's missile defences"

"flight plan may be programmed to avoid defences or use terrain to reduce detection, but we still don't know exactly how the North Korean version navigates"

bbc.co.uk/news/world-asi…

Blog Alert🚨:
The challenges of a #NorthKorea land attack cruise missile (LACM) with my @IISS_org colleague @Wright_T_J iiss.org/blogs/analysis…

#NorthKorea cruise missile at October Defence Exhibition