SEOUL (Reuters), – North Korea’s largest ever intercontinental ballistic missile test (ICBM) was conducted on Thursday according to South Korea (Japan) and drew attention to a new massive weapon that could be in development.

Although North Korea is yet to confirm the missile involved, it was confirmed by officials from Washington and Seoul that the launches of February 27th and March 5th were likely part of the Hwasong-17 ICBM systems, possibly in preparation for a full test such as the one conducted on Thursday.

On Thursday, the unknown missile was said to have flown for 71 miles to an altitude of 6,200km (3,853 mi) and range of 1,080km (1,738 mils). This is longer and more than the North Korean ICBM tests of 2017, which saw it launch a Hwasong-15 missile, at an altitude of approximately 4,475 km. It also flew for 53 minutes with a range of 950km.

This is what we know about the Hwasong-17 missile, also known as a “monster rocket” by analysts.

North Korea unveiled its previously unknown ICBM in an extraordinary predawn military parade, October 2020. Analysts noted that it looked “considerably bigger” than the Hwasong-15 which was tested in November 2017.

The ICBM was also displayed in Pyongyang at an October 2021 defense exhibition. After examining photos of the exhibit, analysts concluded the official designation of this large ICBM is most likely “Hwasong-17”, not Hwasong-16.

The two-stage missile was not used in the test fires on February 27th and March 5, but it is unknown if they were. Analysts speculate that the test may only have used one stage.

If it is operational, the Hwasong-17 will be shown in a vehicle transporter with 11 axles.

According to 38 North (a U.S-based program that monitors North Korea), its diameter is between 2.4 to 2.5 meters and its mass when fully fuelled is between 80,000 to 110,000kg.

Given its large size, analysts have speculated that the Hwasong-17 will carry multiple warheads as well as decoys to make it more difficult to pass missile defenses. Some analysts suggested that satellite technology North Korea claims to have used in its two launch could be applied to multiple independent targetable missile reentry vehicles (MIRV), allowing one missile to drop nukes on different targets.