North Korea’s recent August 24 test of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) marks a huge step forward in DPRK ballistic missile technology.

For the first time, the missile was not only flown at an extended range of 500 km (which is not the missile’s maximum range) but was also flown with modifications (8 grid fins for stabilization) and as a two stage missile. All the information that came out from North Korea indicates that the missile made a successful separation of the two stages and that the flight went nominal.

After careful examination of pictures and still frames