KN-15 Pukguksong-2.

Technical Data

• Launcher Vehicle

  The KN-15 Pukguksong-2 is mounted on a tracked transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) based on a tracked tank chassis. This tracked vehicle offers significant off-road mobility, enhancing the missile's survivability in diverse terrain. The chassis is designed with a crew compartment at the front, where two crew members are located, with two large windows providing visibility for operation. Additionally, other crew positions are on each side at the top roof front of the hull, each equipped with a single door located on the side for access.

  When not in use, the missile is carried on the middle of the roof of the vehicle’s hull. During launch preparations, the missile is raised vertically at the rear of the chassis, where it is ready for firing. Two hydraulic jacks are deployed to lower the vehicle onto the ground to ensure stability during launch, providing a secure platform for the missile’s ignition.

  The vehicle's suspension system features eight road wheels on each side, with the drive sprocket at the rear and the idler wheel at the front. The suspension system is designed to provide stability and durability over rough terrain. The upper part of the suspension is protected by rubber plates, which shield the components from damage and debris while ensuring smooth movement across various surfaces. This tracked TEL design enables the KN-15 to be launched from concealed and rugged positions, greatly enhancing its mobility and survivability.

• Missile

  The KN-15 is a solid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile that stands approximately 12 m (39 feet) tall with a diameter of around 1 m (3.3 feet). The missile is powered by a solid-propellant engine, which enables it to be stored for extended periods and launched with short preparation times compared to liquid-fueled systems.

  The missile carries a single warhead with an estimated range of approximately 1,200 to 2,500 km (750 to 1,550 miles). This range is sufficient to target key regional cities and military installations in South Korea, Japan, and U.S. bases in Guam and Okinawa.

  The warhead on the KN-15 is most likely a nuclear payload, though conventional high-explosive warheads could also be used depending on the specific mission. North Korea's advancement in nuclear warhead miniaturization allows for a potent strike capability, even with smaller missile systems.

  The aerodynamics of the missile include a conical nose and strap-on boosters, which are typical of solid-fuel ballistic missiles. These features allow the KN-15 to achieve greater speed and altitude during its boost phase, giving it the ability to evade certain missile defense systems.

• Guidance Systems

  The KN-15 missile is equipped with an inertial guidance system (INS), which provides mid-course guidance and allows the missile to follow a pre-programmed trajectory toward its target. It is believed that the missile also incorporates terminal guidance capabilities, potentially including radar or infrared seekers to improve accuracy during re-entry and terminal flight phases.

  However, as with many missile systems of North Korea's design, the precise level of sophistication and the degree of accuracy achieved in actual combat scenarios remains somewhat uncertain. The KN-15’s guidance system is likely designed to achieve a reasonable Circular Error Probable (CEP), allowing it to strike a target with a degree of precision sufficient for both conventional and nuclear payloads.

• Mobility

  The KN-15 Pukguksong-2 is based on a tracked transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), which marks a significant departure from North Korea’s earlier mobile missile systems that utilized wheeled TELs. While wheeled TELs are limited to relatively smooth roads and prepared positions, the tracked TEL offers superior off-road mobility, which is crucial for enhancing the system's survivability. This capability allows the missile to be launched from a wider variety of locations, including rugged and remote areas, making it more difficult for adversaries to track and target the system.

  The tracked TEL is particularly well-suited for North Korea’s challenging terrain, as the country has only around 700 km of paved road, with much of the infrastructure consisting of narrow, unpaved roads or rough landscapes. The use of a tracked vehicle provides the missile with greater flexibility and the ability to launch from hidden or dispersed positions, minimizing the risks associated with being detected or neutralized during preparations.

• Combat Use

  The KN-15 ballistic missile serves a primarily strategic deterrent role for North Korea. It is designed to deliver nuclear or conventional payloads to regional targets, making it a key asset in North Korea's missile forces. The missile is likely part of a broader strategy to ensure that the country can strike at key adversaries in the event of a conflict, even in the face of preemptive strikes or conventional warfare.

  The ability to launch from mobile platforms gives the KN-15 survivability in a potential conflict scenario. In the event of an escalation, the missile can be launched from concealed positions, significantly increasing the difficulty for adversaries to disable or destroy the system before it launches.

  As North Korea continues to refine its missile capabilities, it is expected that the KN-15 will continue to evolve as a key element of the nation’s missile and nuclear deterrence posture, likely being integrated into broader offensive strike capabilities targeting not just regional foes but also U.S. and allied forces stationed in the Pacific.