KN-30 Missile

Why in News?

Russia reportedly received the KN-30 ballistic missile from North Korea for the first time, according to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

About KN-30 Missile

The KN-30 is the Western designation for the North Korean Hwasong-11C ballistic missile, also known as the Hwasong-11Da.

It is an enlarged version of the Hwasong-11 family and belongs to the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) class.

Features of KN-30 Missile

Dimensions

The missile is approximately 10.1–10.2 metres long and has a diameter of about 1.26 metres.

Propulsion

The KN-30 is powered by a solid-fuel engine and is launched from a mobile, ground-based launcher.

The use of solid fuel provides advantages such as faster response times, longer storage capacity, and reduced deployment complexity compared with traditional liquid-fuel missiles.

Range and Warhead

The missile has an estimated range of approximately 600–900 km, while its claimed warhead mass is around 2,500 kg.

Speed

Its maximum speed is estimated at approximately Mach 5–6.

Flight Profile

The missile can follow a low quasi-ballistic trajectory, flying at an altitude of nearly 50 km.

Such a lower flight profile can reduce the engagement window compared with a higher and more conventional ballistic trajectory.