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Solid-Fuel Engine Test
Kim Jong Un oversaw a ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel missile engine using composite carbon fiber materials.
“Kim oversaw the test of a newly upgraded engine made with composite carbon fiber material, with a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons”
The engine produced a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, a 26% increase over the previous test.
The test was part of a five-year national defense development plan.
Missile Range and MRV Potential
The engine was developed for the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile under development.
North Korea has already developed Hwasong-18 and Hwasong-19 types with a range of 15,000 km.
The thrust increase is linked to the development of MRV technology.
Conventional Forces Upgrades
Kim inspected special operations forces training and tests of a new main battle tank.
“Kim Jong Un instructed the country's armed forces to get fully prepared in conformity with the trend of modern warfare”
KCNA quoted Kim stressing that much more sweat in peacetime training leads to less blood in the battlefield.
Kim laid out plans to reorganize special operations units.