Analysis
Show and TEL: North Korea’s upgraded missile launch vehicle
It remains unclear if the DPRK is capable of full indigenous production of WS51200-equivalent chassis
Early on Wednesday morning Pyongyang time, North Korea successfully tested the latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its arsenal, the Hwasong-15.
The initial data from the launch indicates that the Hwasong-15 is the longest range missile that the DPRK has tested in its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons.
In the subsequent state media coverage of Wednesday’s test, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that the missile had utilized a “9-axis self-propelled launching vehicle” – indicating that North Korea also deployed its largest ever Transport Erector Launcher (TEL).
Imagery released the following day
