Hyunmoo Missile Debris, Suspected Abnormality in 'Inertial Navigation System' or 'Control Device Communication'

Formation of TF to Inspect Power Commercialization Process, Personnel, and Facilities

'Hyunmoo-2' Launch Followed by Abnormal Falling Debris
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The cause of the Hyunmoo-2C ballistic missile misfire accident that occurred a month ago in the Army is presumed to be abnormal data communication between the Inertial Navigation System (INS) or the control system device.

According to the report submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to the National Assembly Defense Committee on the 4th, the missile control system is largely composed of the INS, the guidance control device, and the actuator. Among these, the INS, a sensor that measures flight status in real time, is a device that can determine the position and attitude of the projectile.

Earlier, at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) audit on the 6th of last month, JCS Chairman Kim Seung-gyeom stated, "The Agency for Defense Development initially evaluated it as a defect in the control system device," and the possibility of an issue with the INS was additionally identified.

The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) is constructing multiple scenarios for each case and is investigating the cause through repeated simulations. The joint investigation team formed by the JCS and ADD plans to conduct the investigation until the 30th of this month. Eleven personnel, including the JCS Director of Readiness Inspection, were deployed to investigate the accident circumstances, and 39 personnel, including the ADD Missile Research Director, were assigned to analyze the technical causes of the accident.

The JCS is reviewing facility management and storage guidelines compliant with ammunition management regulations, preventive maintenance guidelines, on-site command and control and firing procedures, and the normal operation of the firing launcher, and the interim inspection results were evaluated as normal.

However, it was identified that more detailed supplementation is needed regarding resident notification methods in case of misfire and response manuals for contingency situations.

Separately from the investigation of the accident circumstances and technical causes, the Ministry of National Defense formed a 15-member task force (TF) to inspect the overall process of the weaponization of similar missiles. This TF is responsible for examining whether there were any issues during the weaponization process, including research and development, testing and evaluation, and mass production, and for making improvements and corrections. Additionally, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration has formed a TF to supplement and inspect personnel and facilities, reviewing cyber hacking, personnel, facilities, and information systems.

A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "We will complete the investigation and inspection by the end of this month and explain the results," adding, "Based on the inspection results, the Army will conduct a full inspection of similar missiles."

On the 4th of last month, in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) provocation, the Army Missile Strategy Command conducted a counter-fire exercise with the Hyunmoo-2C ballistic missile, but an accident occurred where the missile flew in the opposite direction immediately after launch and crashed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.