Facts
| North Korean/U.S. Designation | KN-14 |
| Missile Variants | KN-08 Mod 2, KN-08 Block 2 |
| Mobility and Role | Road Mobile/Surface-to-surface Intercontinental Ballistic Missile |
| Designer/Producer | N/A |
| Range | 8,000-10,000 |
| Warhead Type and Weight | Conventional or Nuclear/300-700kg |
| MIRV and Yield | N/A |
| Guidance System/Accuracy | N/A |
| Stages/Propellant | Unknown/liquid |
| IOC/Retirement | Most likely retired, if entered service at all |
| Status/Number of Units | N/A |
Overview
The North Korean regime revealed the KN-14 on October 10,2015.[ii] Although initially thought to be the KN-08, it was soon realized that the KN-14 is slightly shorter, with a blunt and rounded nose cone compared to the KN-08. Some say the KN-14 is a variant of the KN-08, while others say it is an entirely different missile. Currently, the U.S. is unsure whether the KN-14 is a two or three stage ICBM, however the former is considered a higher possibility as of now. The KN-14 appears to be developed from the Soviet-era R-27/SS-N-6 missiles.[iii] According to sources, “This seemed to be confirmed during the liquid-fueled engine test on April 9, 2016… While there is no video footage, images released of the test appear to show a pair of clustered 4D10 engines, which are used on the R-27… The images display the engines, embedded within a fuel tank fitted for an ICBM, spitting out bright orange exhaust, which is indicative of a highly efficient fuel called unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH). The use of such fuel could increase KN-14’s range.”[iv]
Similar to the KN-08, it is unclear whether the KN-14 was ever operational.
Strategic implications
The development of the KN-14 further demonstrates the North Korean regime’s inherent resolve toward proliferating a fully capable ICBM. As, well the potential range of the KN-14 would place much of the U.S. mainland, as well as Hawaii and Alaska within range. In addition, the KN-14 may potentially be capable of delivering up to a 700kg payload, more than the KN-20, which has had two recent successful tests. This means that the KN-14 could carry more ordinance at the United States. Actions such as these, along with the regimes disregard for international order places great risk for the United States.
Recent News
Sources
[ii] https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/kn-14/
[iii] ibid
[iv] ibid
