| WS51200 | |
|---|---|
 WS51200 during the North Korean 2013 Victory Day. | |
| Type | 16x12 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| Used by | KPA Strategic Force |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Wanshan Special Vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Wanshan Special Vehicle |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 42 t (empty) |
| Length | 20.11 m[1] |
| Width | 3.35 m[1] |
| Height | 3.35 m[1] |
| Crew | 1+4[1] |
| Engine | Cummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine[1] 700 hp (520 kW)[1] |
| Payload capacity | 80 tons |
| Suspension | 16x12 wheeled |
Operational range | 1,000 km (621 mi) loaded[1] |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph)[1] |
TheWS51200 is an extremely largeheavy goods vehicle built byWanshan Special Vehicle inChina, converted by theDemocratic People's Republic of Korea into asingle-usetransporter erector launcher (TEL). The WS51200 is one of the largest in the WS family of transport trucks and TELs. The size of the WS51200 allows it to carryintercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Despite being made in China, North Korea remains the only military user of these vehicles.[2]
The WS51200 is a large 16x12 special wheeled transporter erector launcher which used some technology from theBelarusianMinsk Wheeled Tractor Plant'sMZKT-79221 vehicle.[1] Its large size allows the WS51200 to carry extremely heavy loads of up to 80 tons. As such, the WS51200 could easily mount a nuclear-tipped ICBM.
Unlike smaller Chinese TELs from Wanshan Special Vehicle, the WS51200 uses and is powered by the AmericanCummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine rather than the German-madeDeutz turbocharged diesel engine.[1] This more powerful engine gives the WS51200 700 hp and a maximum range of a 1,000 km.[1] The TEL is steerable on its first 3 and last 3 axles, which significantly reduces turning radius and makes it surprisingly maneuverable despite its size.[1]
North Korea currently uses the WS51200 to mount theHwasong-13 and theHwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles.[1] In 2014, it was reported that North Korea imported eight civilian WS51200 vehicles from China. UN andAsean investigators have concluded that Chinese WS51200 trucks were legitimately exported to North Korea for timber transport, with the sales contract specifically prohibiting use of the vehicles for military purposes. However, North Korea illegally converted them into TELs by installing hydraulic gear and controls to erect a missile. Despite being converted to fire a missile, the truck would not be likely to survive damage from the rocket exhaust like a purpose-built TEL, making it a single-use launcher.[3][4]
Despite this evidence, in 2017 theUnited States Treasury sanctioned Wanshan Special Vehicle, accusing the company of deliberately proliferating of weapons of mass destruction by aiding North Korea's mobile ballistic missile capability, but kept silent about their AmericanCummins engines.[5]
North Korea
North Korea is the sole and current operator of the WS51200.
China
While not an operator, The PRC is the chief manufacturer of the WS51200 TEL.