The Hwasong-6 (Korean: 화성6; Hancha: 火星6) is a North Korean tactical ballistic missile. It is derived from the Hwasong-5, itself a derivative of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus. It carries the NATO reporting name Scud.
| Hwasong 6 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | SRBM |
| Service history | |
| Used by |  North Korea Iran Syria Yemen Egypt Vietnam Myanmar |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War (2015-present) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North Korea/Iran |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 12 m |
| Diameter | 0.88 m |
| Warhead | Conventional high-explosive, Fragmentation, Chemical VX warhead |
| Engine | Liquid |
Operational | 600 km (370 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5 |
Guidance | Inertial |
Work on an extended-range version of the Hwasong-5 began in 1988, and with only relatively minor modifications, a new type was produced from 1989, designated Hwasong-6 ("Scud Mod. C" or "Scud-C"). It was first tested in June 1990, and entered full-scale production the same year, or in 1991. It was superseded by the Rodong-1.[citation needed]
To increase range over its predecessor, the Hwasong-6 has its payload decreased to 770 kg (1,700 lb) and the length of the rocket body extended to increase the propellant by 25%; accuracy is 700–1,000 meters circular error probability (CEP).[1][2][3] Such range is sufficient to strike targets as far away as western Japan. Its dimensions are identical to the original Hwasong-5. Due to difficulties in procuring MAZ-543 TELs, mobile launchers were produced in North Korea. By 1999, North Korea was estimated to have produced 600 to 1,000 Hwasong-6 missiles, of which 25 had been launched in tests, 300 to 500 had been exported, and 300 to 600 were in service with the Korean People's Army.[4]
A variant with terminal maneuverability was tested in May 2017.[5] U.S. intelligence referred to the upgraded missile as the KN-18.[6]
The Hwasong-6 was exported to Iran, where it is designated as the Shahab-2, to Syria, where it is manufactured under licence with Chinese assistance[4] and to Yemen.[7] Myanmar also imported Hwasong-6 ballistic missiles in 2009.[8] About 25 hwasong-6 ballistic missiles were purchased by Vietnam from North Korea in 1997.[9] In 1995, Libya purchased 5 Hwasong-6 missiles from North Korea, however they were never tested or deployed, and planned local production was cancelled in 2003 with the disarmament of Libya.[9]