Hyunmoo

South Korean missile series

Hyunmoo (hangul=현무) is a series of cruise and ballistic missiles developed by Hanwha Aerospace in the defense industry of South Korea. They are also referred to by the press as Chunmoo.

Hyunmoo means "guardian angel of the northern skies" in Korean.

Hyunmoo 1 is the first domestically produced ballistic missile used by the South Korean Army. It was developed by the South Korean national Agency for Defense Development, and is based on the American 1960s Nike Hercules missile system; the US designates it as the Nike Hercules Korea (NHK 1). In 1986, South Korea succeeded in test launching a missile with a current payload of and a range of
The Hyunmoo system, which means "guardian angel of the northern skies" in Korean, launches a missile from a mobile launcher which is fire controlled from the missile battery's command and control vehicle. The Hyunmoo 1 missile, which is long and weighing , is propelled by a two stage solid rocket motor. It features an independent inertial guidance and control system which means it can reach any target in any weather conditions without further commands after launch. In 1990 the US withheld approval on a request by South Korea to start selling the Hyunmoo 1 abroad. The US only granted export approval after South Korea provided technical information on its Hyunmoo system, and agreed to not develop rockets with ranges of more than South Korea was permitted to produce a limited number of Hyunmoo missiles under US inspection until production ended.

The Hyunmoo 2A was the first of South Korea's attempts to develop an newer indigenous ballistic missile with an increased range, over Hyunmoo 1. Due to an agreement in 2001 with the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime), the missile's range was limited to 300 km. It is carried by a 4 axle transporter erector launcher (TEL). Eventually the missile range was increased to 800 km which spurred on the development of Hyunmoo 2B and Hyunmoo 2C. South Korea released the upgraded version of Hyunmoo 2A, named Hyunmoo 2B, which was put into service in late 2009. This ballistic missile had an increased range of 500 km. If launched from the central region of South Korea, all of North Korean territory is under a 550 kilometer striking range. Its accuracy is 30 m circular error probable. The upgraded version of Hyunmoo 2B, named Hyunmoo 2C, was unveiled in 2017. The ballistic missile has an increased range of 800 km, but with a warhead weight reduced by half, and uses a different type of TEL with 5 axles, and launch canister that is wider and longer, suggesting increased weight. The warhead section features maneuvering fins (similar to those on Pershing II), which suggests a maneuverable reentry vehicle or some type of terminal guidance for increased accuracy. It has extreme accuracy (circular error probable of 1–5 m), ideal as a bunker buster. If fired from southernmost Jeju Island, it can still reach all of North Korea but will be outside the range of North Korean Scud missiles.

On 7 September 2021, South Korea tested a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a Dosan Ahn Changho class submarine, making it the third country to develop a conventionally armed SLBM capability on a conventionally powered (diesel electric) submarine after the Soviet Union (Golf class submarine) and North Korea (Sinpo class submarine). The missile was the Hyunmoo 4 4, a variant of the Hyunmoo 2B with a 500 km range.

In 2006, the South Korean defense ministry released a statement that it had been testing several cruise missiles under the series of Hyunmoo 3 which were similar to the American Tomahawk or the Russian Kalibr. The first official model, Hyunmoo 3B, was unveiled in 2009 with an maximum range of 1,000 km meaning it could hit any part of North Korea as well as some parts of China and Tokyo. Unlike Hyunmoo 2 missiles, the Hyunmoo 3 missiles would use cruise missile technology. It uses the same four axle TEL like the Hyunmoo 2. The Hyunmoo 3C missile's deployment is still unknown. The missile would have an increased maximum range of 1,500 km. Hyunmoo 3D/Hyunmoo 4 are under speculation however work on such a missile is unlikely to occur any time soon due to regulations on missile range. Some cite its deployment for the late 2030s, however, such a missile is still a grey area to the public.

While the South Korean military's missiles are currently capable of destroying structures at surface level, it says it needs heavier warheads to be able to destroy North Korea's underground facilities and bunkers. The new Hyunmoo IV ballistic missile is fitted with a new warhead capable of destroying North Korea's underground military facilities, command centers and its leadership and is probably a variant of the extended range Hyunmoo 2C missile currently under development. Seoul reached a de facto deal with the U. S. in September 2017 to revise their missile development guidelines so that it can double the maximum payload of its ballistic missiles. The Hyunmoo 4 has a range of 800 km and an increased payload of .

Missile Hyunmoo 1 Length overall at second stage Diameter booster at second stage Fin span booster at second stage Mass at launch at second stage Maximum speed Mach 3.65 (ca. ) Range Ceiling First stage Hercules M42 solid fueled rocket cluster (4x M5E1 Nike boosters) 978 kN (220,000 lbf) total Second stage Thiokol M30 solid fueled rocket 44.4 kN (10,000 lbf) Warhead conventional T 45 HE warhead weighing and containing of HBX 6 M17 blast fragmentation