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North Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting US mainland
The test, part of North Korea's five-year defense plan, achieved a 2,500 kN thrust, signaling advancement toward faster-launching intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads.
- On Sunday, March 29, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a ground test of an upgraded solid-fuel missile engine constructed with composite carbon-fiber materials, producing a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, according to the Korean Central News Agency .
- Part of the country's five-year military escalation program, the test aimed to upgrade "strategic strike means." Solid-fuel engines require little ignition time compared to older liquid-fuel systems, enabling faster launches and harder detection.
- Kim also inspected a new main battle tank performance test organized by the Armored Weapons Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences, with the tank's active protection system achieving a 100 percent success rate against anti-tank weapons.
- Dr. Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP the increased thrust demonstrates North Korea's "resolve to acquire missiles capable of hitting targets around the globe" and ability to overwhelm missile defense systems.
- Despite these advancements, experts caution that technological hurdles such as warhead reentry survivability remain unresolved. Kim recently pledged to cement the country's nuclear status, accusing the United States of global "state terrorism and aggression" in reference to Middle East conflicts.
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182 Articles
182 Articles
North Korea conducts test for missile it claims can target US mainland
·Washington, United States
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The test probably indicates that Kim Jong-un intends to expand and modernise a mission arsenal.
·Brazil
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The engine test achieved a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilotons. This is 529 kilotons more than in September. Kim wants to modernize the arsenal.
Kim’s New Rocket Power: North Korea Claims Breakthrough In U.S.-Range Missile Engine - Tampa Free Press
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a ground test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine, a move state media describes as a major step toward building missiles capable of reaching the American heartland. According to reports released Sunday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test involved a high-tech composite carbon fiber engine designed […] Kim’s New Rocket Power: North Korea Claims Breakthrough In U.S.-Range Missile Engine
·Tampa, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources182
Leaning Left31Leaning Right27Center62Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Center
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center
L 26%
C 52%
R 22%
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