Posted on 07/12/2017 7:45:29 PM PDT by MtnClimber
After the frenzy of technical speculation over the successful launch of North Korea’s Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the dust seems to be clearing and the emerging reality is that the North has an unreliable missile that can reach Alaska or Hawaii with a single nuclear warhead, and would be lucky to hit even a city-sized target. However, with a year or two of additional testing and development, it will likely become a missile that can reliably deliver a single nuclear warhead to targets along the US west coast, possibly with enough accuracy to destroy soft military targets like naval bases. In perhaps five years, North Korea may be able to incorporate a modest suite of decoys and penetration aids to challenge US missile defenses. Let’s hope US missile defenses are up to that challenge.
Contrary to the assertions of some analysts that the missile is currently capable of carrying several warheads, not just one, it may eventually be able to carry a modest suite of decoys or penetration aids, though probably not for several years. A multiple warhead capability, while theoretically possible, would require a very lightweight warhead, which will require a lot more nuclear testing and is probably a decade in the future at best.
That said, the Hwasong-14 that flew last week was surprising in several respects. On the surface, it appeared to be a completely different missile than the one North Korea rolled out under the name of “Hwasong-14” back in 2015. On close examination, however, this new Hwasong-14 appears to be closely based on elements of several previous North Korean missiles. In fact, very little of the Hwasong-14 is truly new: it uses the same engine as the Hwasong-12, a structural technology first developed for the original Hwasong-14 and demonstrated on the Hwasong-12;
(Excerpt) Read more at realcleardefense.com ...
We should not let them perfect this system before we do something.
NK must be destroyed.
The 6.0 earthquake in the Sea of Japan earlier today got a lot of people’s attention. Turned out it was a natural occurrence and not another nuclear test.
Depending on our unproven defense to counter the unknown of what they have is insanity. Our intelligence agencies are worthless and it does not take imagination to assume a missile can be placed on a container ship bound for an American harbor or lob a missile high enough to EMP our asses.
This country keeps on redrawing lines in the sand. One day that line will be crossed by NK,Iran or another terror entity. They need to be put down like a rabid dog.
/sarc>
I know you’re joking but we shouln’t even joke about something like that.
This idiot terrifies me.
.
Not to worry - this is a least a year away. And it's only one warhead.
So chill.
Wow!
You condemn our ability to defend ourselves and in the same breath you demand “someone” go eliminate these threats?
Do you realize what you are asking? You want a world war because some idiots hate us? Security is a process, not an act.
That said, I agree we need a strong deterrent policy and a robust, lethal agile and available defense(offense) forces capability.
Reset our armed forces, re-constitute all branches and restore our combat projection power, position much of that offshore.
Our nation needs to be friendly, talk firmly and carry a big stick.
Do you wear a uniform or are you just assuming some kid in a military or naval uniform will do it for you?
Throw in New York and you’ve got a deal.
I know what you mean, but no I don’t want one America harmed from any NK missile attack.
“I don’t want to wake up one morning and find that Hawaii, Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco or Los Angeles has been destroyed, something must be done to ensure their safety.”.
Wow, I thought you were listing sanctuary cities on the west coast, oh wait, you did.
I guess they will have to suffer the consequences of voting for democrats for all these years. They have no security against foreign enemies. And the sad part is, obviously they like it that way.
As an earlier poster detailed, this threat is due to the Clintons dealings with China and the Loral mess where Bill gave them missile navigation technology. Sometimes people get what they deserve.
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