The No Dong A (also named No-Dong 1 or Rodong 1) is a medium range ballistic missile based on the technology of the Russian-made ballistic missile Scud-D. This system was developed by the North Korean defence industry. A prototype was detected on a launch pad in May 1990. Test flights did not begin until May 29-30, 1993, with an apparently successful launch 500 km into the Sea of Japan. technology has been exported. Variants are believed to be the basis for Iran's Shahab-3 and Pakistan's Ghauri missiles. It was estimated in the summer of 2006 by the South Korean, National Intelligence Service that North Korea had deployed or produced at least 450 No-dong-A's.
The capabilities of the No Dong A missile are such that it can only effectively be used against large, soft targets like cities, airports, or harbors. Its range is sufficient to put parts of Japan within range. The accuracy is extremely low for modern missiles and it is useless against a hardened military target. The exact size of the payload is unknown, but a medium yield nuclear warhead would maximize the potential damage. It is mobile and easily concealable, making it difficult to destroy prior to launch.
North Korea has provided little information about their ballistic missile program. Much of the information about the No Dong missiles stems from a comparison with the Ghauri missile of Pakistan and the Shahab 3 of Iran, which all seem to be related missile programs. The No Dong A missile has a range of approximately 1,300 km (807 miles). The accuracy of the missile is believed to be 2,000 m - 4,000 m CEP when deployed at maximum range. Based on information obtained from its Iranian and Pakistani sister missiles, it is believed to be 16.2 m in length, 1.36 m in diameter, and a launch weight of 16,500 kg. It is equipped with a 1,200 kg separating warhead that can deploy 800 kg of HE-unitary, chemical, submunitions, biological, or medium-yield nuclear weapons. It can be launched from a converted Russian Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle design and from converted North Korean tanks and trucks. The missile is presumed to use an inertial guidance system but may be upgraded with a more accurate Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system. A nuclear warhead development program was started in 1990 which may include warheads for the No Dong missiles. A North Korean statement in 2002 suggested that their scientists had assembled between 2 and 5 nuclear warheads; potentially, some of those were fitted to the No Dong A missiles.
Some missiles may also have been produced for export. It is believed that the No Dong A project was accomplished in conjunction with both Iran and Pakistan. It is reported that Iran received 150 missiles, although both North Korea and Iran deny the transaction. A comparison of the Ghauri and the Shahab 3 indicates the missile technology developed for the No Dong A was probably given or sold to Pakistan and Iran. Certain components of the Ghauri and Shahab missiles may also have been produced in North Korea. Other countries may also have been involved in the project. Iraq, Eqypt, Syria, and Libya are all believed to have negotiated to obtain the missile, though there are no known exports to these countries.
The No Dong A is one of North Korea's most effective ballistic missiles because it is more difficult to intercept by missile defenses. Although it has an estimated range of 1,000–1,300 km (620–807 mi), launches in March 2014 flew only 650 km (400 mi). Their range was shortened by firing at a higher launch angle, which may enable them to avoid interception. The missiles flew to an altitude of 160 km at Mach 7, while U.S. and South Korean Patriot PAC-2/3 interceptors are more specialized to hit Scud-type missiles up to 40 km high. To counter this, South Korea is indigenously developing the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), and the U.S. is considering deploying the THAAD missile defense system.
Launcher unit
The missile is carried on a truck similar to the Russian-made MAZ-543 but with 10 wheels. The missile is raised to the vertical position at the back of the TEL before launch.
Guidance system
The missile is presumed to use an inertial guidance system but may be upgraded with a more accurate Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.
Combat use
The No-Dong-A can be used against large, soft targets like cities, airports, or harbors. Its range is sufficient to put parts of Japan within range.
Specifications
Type of missile
medium range ballistic missile
Country users
North Korea
Launcher
mobile truck transporter - erector - launcher
Length:16.2 m
Diameter:1.36 m
Launch Weight:16,500 kg
Payload:Single warhead, 1,200kg
Warhead
nuclear, chemical, conventional HE, submunitions
Propulsion:Single-stage liquid propellant
Effective range
1,000 to 1,300 km.
Accuracy
2,000 - 4,000 CEP
Guidance
Inertial system and upgrade with GPS system
Status:Operational
In Service:1994