--- title: "South Korea’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Emerges In New Test Photos" description: "South Korea has presented, for the first time, imagery of its Hycore hypersonic cruise missile, showing the actual weapon during its flight testing. The Hycore is part of a fast-growing arsenal of advanced weapons that Seoul is developing, primarily to…" date: "2025-09-04" modified: "2025-09-04" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/south-koreas-hypersonic-cruise-missile-emerges-in-new-test-photos" categories: - "Air" - "Air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles" - "Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles" - "Around The Globe" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Land" - "Land-Based Conventional Hypersonic Weapons" - "Naval Munitions" - "News & Features" - "Sea" - "Sea-Launched Hypersonic Missiles" - "South Korea" --- # South Korea’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Emerges In New Test Photos ![South Korea has presented, for the first time, imagery of its Hycore hypersonic cruise missile, showing the future weapon during its flight testing. The Hycore is part of a fast-growing arsenal of advanced weapons that Seoul is developing, primarily to counter North Korea. As well as the hypersonic cruise missile, South Korea is notably also working on an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) and increasingly capable sea-based ballistic missiles, including for launch submarine launch.]() *via @mason\_8718* South Korea has presented, for the first time, imagery of its Hycore hypersonic cruise missile, showing the actual weapon during its flight testing. The Hycore is part of a fast-growing arsenal of advanced weapons that Seoul is developing, primarily to counter North Korea. As well as the hypersonic cruise missile, South Korea is notably also working on an [air-launched ballistic missile]() (ALBM) and [sea-based ballistic missiles](), including for [submarine launch](). Until now, the Hycore missile had only been seen in public in the form of scale models and renderings. The new imagery includes the weapon being fired from a ground-based vertical launch platform, as well as the in-flight separation of the missile from the first of its two booster sections. ![]() *Test launch of a Hycore missile from a ground platform. *via @mason\_8718** ![]() *Separation of the first-stage booster from a Hycore missile. *via @mason\_8718** There is also a new image showing a wind-tunnel test, which reveals more details of the missile’s appearance. ![]() **via @mason\_8718** Based on earlier reports, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defense company Hanwha began research on the Hycore project in 2018. In 2021, [a model]() of the hypersonic cruise missile was publicly unveiled, confirming that it had a two-stage rocket booster. At this point, it was reported that the Hycore [was slated to start flight testing]() (from ground launch) in 2022, with service entry projected for some time in the mid-2020s. ![]() *An earlier model of the Hycore missile. *Photo by Aviation Week South Korea correspondent Kim Minseok** A DAPA spokesperson [told *Janes* in 2022](): “The Agency for Defense Development is currently researching core technologies to study the high-temperature characteristics that occur during hypersonic flight and the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle at high speed.” The same source published estimated specifications for the Hycore missile, including a length of 28.5 feet (8.7 meters), a weight of 5,290 pounds (2,400 kilograms), and a maximum speed of Mach 6.2. The weapon’s range remains unclear. The Hycore has a relatively typical layout for a [scramjet-powered]() hypersonic weapon. This involves using a booster motor to accelerate the missile to near-hypersonic speed in order for the scramjet to work properly, before falling away. The South Korean missile differs from others in its class by using a two-stage solid-fuel rocket to bring it up to the required speed, rather than a single one. Once at high supersonic speed, ensuring the required airflow into the scramjet engine, while also keeping drag to a minimum, is a complex task. The South Korean designers have adopted the same kind of design as seen on Boeing’s experimental [X-51A Waverider](). This is engineered to ensure the missile ‘skips’ on top of the shockwaves produced during high-speed flight to produce additional lift. This kind of concept is in contrast to a [hypersonic boost-glide vehicle](), which is unpowered, but which also sits atop a rocket booster to get to the desired altitude and speed before being released. ![]() *Boeing’s X-51A Waverider. *U.S. Air Force** Unconfirmed reports from South Korea claim the Hycore has already achieved a speed of Mach 6 in tests last year. It’s understood that South Korea aims to field the Hycore in land-based and naval applications and, reportedly, also for air launch. A version of the missile launched from a surface combatant would likely be schemed for compatibility with the Korean Vertical Launch System II (KVLS-II), as installed on the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) 12,000-ton [KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers](). ![]() *The KVLS-II test configuration on a KDX-III Batch 2 destroyer appears to have four cells, seen on the left, next to the earlier KVLS launcher. *via X** While initially expected to accommodate long-range surface-to-air missiles, the 24 KVLS-II cells on each of the KDX-III Batch 2 vessels are also planned to add ballistic missiles, and Hycore would appear to be another option. The KVLS-II cells are intended to accommodate bigger missiles. According to [available data](), the KVLS-II is at least 3 feet (0.9m) wide and 30 feet (9.1m) deep, providing considerable internal volume. There are also suggestions that the Hycore could find itself arming ROKN submarines, in particular, the boats developed under the Korean Attack Submarine program. In the third phase of this program, [KSS-III](), the 3,000-ton displacement subs each have provision for six vertical launch system (VLS) cells that will be able to accommodate ballistic or cruise missiles. Subsequent vessels in the class are [expected]() to increase the capacity to 10 VLS cells. ![]() *The KSS-III submarine ROKS *Dosan Ahn Changho* during trials. *Defense Acquisition Program Administration** For air-launch, the Hycore is apparently being pitched as armament for Seoul’s [KF-21 fighter](). Earlier this year, *TWZ* [reported on plans]() to develop a new [air-launched ballistic missile]() (ALBM) for the aircraft, which would see South Korea join a group of nations that are [looking to introduce this capability](), or which already have weapons of this kind [in operational service](). While ALBMs are sometimes described as hypersonic missiles, this is somewhat misleading, since most ballistic missiles arrive at their target with a hypersonic or near-hypersonic terminal velocity. A ‘true’ hypersonic missile like Hycore would be a significant addition to the KF-21’s weapons options. In theory, using the KF-21 as the Hycore launch platform would ease the process of integration, since this can be done locally, without the involvement of a foreign original equipment manufacturer. On the other hand, even with a different booster section, the Hycore will be a very large weapon, and it’s questionable if the KF-21 can carry it under its wing. ![ROKAF\_KF-21\_FIRST\_FLIGHT]() *First flight of the KF-21. *YouTube screencap* YouTube Screencap* Alternatively, South Korea also operates the [F-15K Slam Eagle](), which has a prodigious load-carrying capability and would better lend itself to being armed with outsize weapons like hypersonic cruise missiles. ![]() *A South Korean F-15K carries a Taurus cruise missile under the wing. *Photo by South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images* A South Korean F-15K fighter jet flying with a Taurus missile during an exercise on September 12, 2017, in Taean-gun, South Korea. *Photo by South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images** Overall, regardless of its method of launch, a hypersonic cruise missile would offer South Korea considerable advantages when it comes to conducting short-notice standoff strikes, especially against highly defended and time-sensitive targets. There have been reports that the Hycore will have an anti-ship capability, especially relevant now that North Korea is actively working on surface combatants with their own [powerful cruise missile capabilities](). However, the ability to strike moving targets of any kind is much more complicated to achieve, requiring a seeker for terminal guidance. The missile would also benefit from being paired with and tied into a deeply networked ‘kill web’ for targeting updates. More broadly, South Korea’s hypersonic cruise missile plans should be seen in the context of [increased tensions with North Korea]() in recent years, as well as that country’s own missile [developments](), which also include [hypersonic missiles](). ![]() *The North Korean Hwasongpho-16B hypersonic missile, which uses a boost-glide vehicle concept. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, wearing a black leather jacket, is seen to the right. *KCNA** As long as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear capabilities as well as reinforce its air defenses, something it’s apparently now doing [with Russian assistance](), South Korea’s need for harder-hitting weapons will be seen as increasingly critical. More broadly, South Korea’s wider missile development plan calls for weapons “with significantly enhanced destructive power” as part of its response to North Korea’s growing missile capabilities. Once again, a hypersonic cruise missile would fit the bill. As well as North Korea, China is [a growing concern]() for South Korea, a fact reflected in Seoul increasingly looking to [security challenges]() beyond the peninsula. China is meanwhile [busily pursuing hypersonic weapons development](), and South Korea may well see the Hycore as a useful counter to those [diverse]() and [expanding capabilities](). Experience has shown that hypersonic cruise missiles are a [notoriously tricky category of weapon to master](), but with more traditional cruise missiles, [dedicated bunker-busting weapons](), and a variety of ballistic missiles also fielded or in development, Hycore is likely seen as a risk worth taking. *Thanks to [@mason\_8718]() for bringing details of this development to our attention.* *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()