The Hwasong-18 ICBM is road-mobile and carried by a 9-axles wheeled transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle to support the weight and size of the missile, allowing it to traverse various types of terrain. The missile is encased in a protective canister, which is mounted in the front-middle section of the TEL. This canister also serves as the launch tube when the missile is ready to be fired. To be launched, the missile is erected in a vertical position at the rear of the TEL. The use of a road-mobile TEL increases the missile's survivability and flexibility, as it is more challenging for adversaries to locate, track, and target the missile before launch. The crew cabins are located at the front of the truck on both the right and left sides of the missile, creating a U-shape around it. It is probable that the cabin also features necessary controls for operating the vehicle, as well as communication equipment to maintain contact with command centers and other units during transportation and launch operations.

The Hwasong-18 missile is three stages solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Solid-fueled missiles use a solid propellant composed of fuel and oxidizer that is tightly packed into the rocket's motor. This mixture is stable and can be stored for long periods without significant degradation. Solid-fueled ICBMs have shorter launch preparation times because the propellant is already inside the missile, making them more responsive to sudden launch orders. Solid-fueled ICBMs are typically more mobile, as they can be easily transported on vehicles without the need for additional fueling equipment.
A three-stage ICBM is a type of ICBM that has three stages, or sections, that are used to propel the missile to its target. The first stage is the boost stage, which is responsible for lifting the missile off the ground and accelerating it to a high velocity. The boost stage typically uses a liquid-fueled rocket engine, which provides a high amount of thrust for a short period of time. Once the missile has reached a certain altitude and speed, the first stage falls away and the midcourse stage takes over. The midcourse stage is responsible for guiding the missile towards its target, using a combination of internal guidance systems and external tracking systems. The final stage of the missile's flight is the terminal stage, which is responsible for ensuring that the missile reaches its target with precision. The terminal stage typically uses a small rocket engine, which can make fine adjustments to the missile's trajectory to ensure that it hits its target.
The range and altitude of a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) depend on its specific design, size, and payload. Generally, ICBMs are designed to have a range of at least 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) to be classified as "intercontinental." However, some modern solid-fueled ICBMs can achieve much greater ranges, even exceeding 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) in some cases. As for altitude, ICBMs typically follow a ballistic trajectory, which takes them through the Earth's atmosphere and into space before reentering the atmosphere to reach their target. The peak altitude, or apogee, of an ICBM's flight path can vary depending on the missile's range and trajectory. For long-range ICBMs, the apogee can reach up to 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) or higher.
Hwasong-17 may be capable of carrying multiple nuclear or conventional warheads.