Hwasong-17 ? (24 Mar 2022)
1100km▶️ 6000km+🔼 71m⏲️
🙋♂️Why so high? Why a lofted tests?
Geography limits #NorthKorea, testing a ballistic missile beyond around 1000km requires a more provocative overflying another country, namely #Japan. North Korea has done this previously but only a handful of times.
Our first - but hopefully not only - look at the #NorthKorea missile launch courtesy of @JASDF_PAO F-15 Eagle
#NorthKorea may not acknowledge this as an ICBM test
"The purpose of these tests, which did not demonstrate ICBM range, was likely to evaluate this new system before conducting a test at full range in the future, potentially disguised as a space launch."
#NorthKorea 🇰🇵 release images confirming launch of Hwasong-17 ICBM
This picture!
Geolocation of #NorthKorea Hwasong-17 ICBM launch
(39°11'17.54"N 125°39'59.41"E)
This is also the first time we have seen #NorthKorea launch any ICBM directly from a TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher), for previous Hwasong-14 & 15 launches the stand was detached so as not to risk their precious few Chinese origin TEL.
Unknown if also true for the three recent unseen Hwasong-17 launches
As per Hwasong-12 IRBM tests they may have worked up to direct launch from TEL. However the claimed domestic TELs may also be more replaceable than the Chinese imports.
15 March satellite imagery @planet of Kherson Airport appears to show a number of #Russia 🇷🇺helicopters destroyed or damaged following reported #Ukraine 🇺🇦 strike (46.67358° N, 32.50764° E)
The new @planet imagery of Kherson airport also provides first clear look at aftermath of previous 6/7 March reported overnight raid by #Ukraine 🇺🇦 forces. While claims #Russia 🇷🇺 lost 30 helicopters remain unverified, some losses are still apparent.
I have identified at least two further impacts points at Ozerne air base #Ukraine 🇺🇦
@Cen4infoRes Despite questionable accuracy of #Russia 🇷🇺strikes against Ozerne air base, it seem one impact may have resulted in destruction of a #Ukraine 🇺🇦 Air Force Su-27 Flanker