North Korea says test of new hypersonic missile successful

New intermediate-range hypersonic missile made with lighter materials, making it more lethal at penetrating enemy defences, Pyongyang says.

North Korea has carried out the successful test launch of a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile and will accelerate the development of nuclear and missile capabilities, state media report.

The hypersonic missile was fired from the outskirts of Pyongyang on Monday. It flew about 1,500km (932 miles) at 12 times the speed of sound, reaching an altitude of nearly 100km (62 miles) before descending to a “second peak” of 42.5km (26.4 miles) and manoeuvring to hit a target in waters off the country’s east coast, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday.

New carbon fibre composite materials were used in the missile’s engine section, KCNA said, adding that it can “effectively penetrate any dense defence barrier and inflict a serious military blow on the opponent”. Carbon fibre is lighter and stronger than other aerospace materials such as aluminium, but is more difficult to manufacture.

South Korea’s military said the KCNA report was most likely exaggerated, estimating the range the missile flew to be about 1,100km (683 miles) and saying no second peak was detected. Achieving a “second peak” would imply the North Korean missile was capable of changing course and maintaining altitude rather than directly descending on a ballistic trajectory.