INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
North Korea&s Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), launched for the second time on Wednesday, uses solid-fuel technology,
giving it the capability to launch with little preparation.Here are some characteristics of solid-fuel technology, and how it can help the
North improve its missile systems.WHAT IS SOLID-FUEL TECHNOLOGY?Solid propellants are a mixture of fuel and oxidiser
Metallic powders such as aluminum often serve as the fuel, and ammonium perchlorate, which is the salt of perchloric acid and ammonia, is
the most common oxidiser.The fuel and oxidiser are bound together by a hard rubbery material and packed into a metal casing.When solid
propellant burns, oxygen from the ammonium perchlorate combines with aluminum to generate enormous amounts of energy and temperatures of
more than 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius), creating thrust and lifting the missile from the launch pad.WHO HAS THAT
TECHNOLOGY?Solid fuel dates back to fireworks developed by the Chinese centuries ago, but made dramatic progress in the mid-20th century,
developed more powerful propellants.North Korea uses solid fuel in a range of small, shorter-range ballistic missiles.The Soviet Union
fielded its first solid-fuel ICBM, the RT-2, in the early 1970s, followed by France&s development of its S3, also known as SSBS, a
medium-range ballistic missile.China started testing solid-fuel ICBMs in the late 1990s.South Korea has also said it has secured &efficient
and advanced& solid-propellant ballistic missile technology, though in much smaller rockets so far.SOLID VS
LIQUIDLiquid propellants provide greater propulsive thrust and power, but require more complex technology and extra weight.Solid fuel is
dense and burns quite quickly, generating thrust over a short time
Solid fuel can remain in storage for an extended period without degrading or breaking down & a common issue with liquid fuel.Vann Van
government weapons expert who now works with the 38 North project, said solid-fuel missiles are easier and safer to operate, and require
less logistical support, making them harder to detect and more survivable than liquid-fuel weapons.Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the
U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said any country that operates large scale, missile-based nuclear forces would seek
solid-propellant missiles, which do not need to be fuelled immediately ahead of launch.&These capabilities are much more responsive in a
time of crisis,& Panda said.North Korea said the development of its new solid-fuel ICBM, the Hwasong-18, would &radically promote& its
nuclear counterattack capability.After the first launch South Korea&s defense ministry sought to downplay the testing, saying the North
would need &extra time and effort& to master the technology
On Thursday, a ministry spokesperson said they were still analyzing the latest launch.Source: ReutersThe post What are solid-fuel missiles,
and why is North Korea developing them? first appeared on Ariana News.
