South Korea unveils powerful bunker-busting ballistic missile
South Korea has unveiled the latest version of its unique Hyunmoo-V ballistic missile, designed to destroy the deepest bunkers and ballistic missile silos in North Korea. Here's why it is fearsome despite not having a nuclear warhead.
8:02 AM EDT, October 1, 2024
Due to its geopolitical situation, South Korea must maintain large armed forces and an industrial base for its equipment and supply. This need has led to the creation of many interesting types of weapons that have no equivalent in the world.
This category includes the Hyunmoo family of ballistic missiles, which are adapted to destroy fortified underground complexes in North Korea using gigantic conventional penetrative warheads weighing several tons. The latest variant of the missile, carrying a warhead weighing 9-10 tons, is now being presented, with tests set to be completed in 2023.
Hyunmoo-V ballistic missiles - South Korea's unique deterrent weapon
The Hyunmoo-V missiles feature a two-segment construction weighing 40 tons, with the warhead possibly weighing up to 9-10 tons. The range varies from 186 miles to 1,864 miles when the warhead is reduced. These missiles are tasked with destroying, for example, North Korean silos and other bunkers, which are estimated to number around 7,000.
The Hyunmoo-V missile's warhead is estimated to penetrate over 328 feet of reinforced concrete, and the explosive force is sufficient to obliterate even the largest complex from the surface. The guidance system, likely similar to those in competitive ballistic missiles, is based on inertial and satellite navigation modules.
The penetration effect results from the missile’s very high attack speed, reaching approximately Mach 10, and a heavily armored warhead capable of withstanding impact with the target. The missile can be launched from mobile-wheeled launchers and Arsenal ships. South Korea plans to possess over 200 Hyunmoo-V missiles.
