North Korea’s second strike capability

Analysts say North Korea’s latest test launch of a KN-11 missile shows Pyongyang has succeeded in developing “cold launch” technology, which means it can fire a ballistic missile vertically from a submarine

Sinpo-class submarine

Length:68m

Speed: 10 knots (dived est.)

Propulsion: Diesel-electric

Crew: 30-50

NK-11 (Polaris-1)

Length: 9.3m

Warhead: 650kg

Conning tower: Satellite imagery indicates submarine has one or two launch silos mounted in sail

1. Cold launch: Missile expelled from silo by compressed air

2. Solid fuel engine ignites above water

2014: 

Oct 2014: Existence of Sinpo-class ballistic missile submarine revealed

Jan 2015: First flight test of KN-11 missile

May: Ejection test from silo on submerged barge

Nov: Ejection test from Sinpo submarine fails

Dec: Successful ejection from submarine but ignition fails

Apr 2016: Successful submarine launch

Sources: Stratfor, The Diplomat, 38 North.org, H I Sutton

Picture: KCNA