North Korea unveiled a new solid-propellant, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with an apparent hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) payload this week. Dubbed the Hwasong-16B, the system builds on a similar missile equipped with a conical maneuverable reentry vehicle tested earlier this year. 

Tuesday’s test launch of the new missile was largely anticipated after Kim Jong Un oversaw a solid-rocket motor test last month.

Solid propellants can be more readily fired in case of conflict, and Kim declared that the country can now build solid-fuel missiles of various types and ranges, possibly even signaling