According to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the reclusive country "conducted another ground jet test of a high-thrust solid-fuel engine using composite carbon fiber material," with its leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the test.
KCNA said it was the "ninth ground jet test" of its kind and the "last one in the development process," capable of producing a maximum thrust of 1,971 kilonewtons, which is roughly equivalent to lifting 200 tons of weight.
Kim praised the test as a "success assuming the most strategic nature in the recent modernization of defense technology," adding that it signals a "significant change in expanding and strengthening the nuclear strategic forces" of North Korea.
Tuesday's test came about a week after KCNA hinted at a "new-type solid-fuel engine" intended for its Hwasong series of ICBMs, which it claims could reach the U.S. mainland.
Unlike conventional solid-fuel engines, which typically use hardened propellants for rapid launches but are constrained by heavy metal shells that reduce performance, a carbon-fiber composite shell makes the engine lighter, allows it to carry more fuel, and generates greater thrust, making it suitable for long-range ICBMs.
According to Shin Seung-ki, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), Pyongyang has already completed the development of ICBMs with sufficient range and now appears to be focusing on increasing thrust to carry more warheads.
"North Korea is apparently aiming to mount more warheads on its ICBMs to step up its threat to the U.S.," Shin told Aju Press. He speculated that the engine's 200-ton thrust could allow the missiles to carry five to six warheads, compared with about 10 on U.S. ICBMs.
reporter
Cheon Soram
cheons@ajupress.com
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