Hwasong-14 Warhead
North Korea · 2017 · 250 kilotons · thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb)
Overview
Estimated ICBM warhead.
With a yield of 250 kilotons, the Hwasong-14 Warhead is 17× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. As a thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb) weapon, it derives its energy from a fission primary that ignites a much larger fusion secondary stage.
Hwasong-14 Warhead Blast Effects
The table below shows the calculated radius of each effect zone for an air burst (optimal altitude, maximum blast spread) and a surface burst (ground level, with massive radioactive fallout). Formulas are scaling laws from The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977).
| Effect zone | Air burst | Surface burst |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball radius | 1.32 km | 1.06 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 2.98 km | 1.64 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 6.37 km | 3.50 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 18.12 km | 9.97 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 6.45 km | 3.87 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 11.54 km | 6.93 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~109.2 km |
All values are 1-D ground-distance estimates from the detonation point. Real-world effects depend on terrain, weather, and building construction.
Run the Hwasong-14 Warhead on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the Hwasong-14 Warhead on any city worldwide. Click any location on the map to see the fireball, blast, and thermal radii overlaid on real geography with population-density-based casualty estimates.
🎯 Simulate Hwasong-14 WarheadRelated Weapons
FAQ
How big is the Hwasong-14 Warhead blast radius?
In an air burst, the Hwasong-14 Warhead produces a fireball roughly 1.32 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 6.37 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 18.12 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the Hwasong-14 Warhead?
The Hwasong-14 Warhead has a yield of 250 kilotons of TNT equivalent. That is 17× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the Hwasong-14 Warhead bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The Hwasong-14 Warhead at 250 kilotons is 17× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
What thermal burn radius does the Hwasong-14 Warhead produce?
Thermal radiation from the Hwasong-14 Warhead can cause 3rd-degree burns out to roughly 6.45 km and 2nd-degree burns out to 11.54 km in an air burst. Surface bursts reduce these radii by approximately 40 percent due to ground absorption.