Posted on 09/19/2019 10:14:20 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
US researchers say satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to deploy a ballistic missile-capable submarine.
Researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and satellite operator Planet Labs have told NHK that they have analyzed images of a shipyard in the eastern port city of Sinpo.
On September 3 at least 13 pillar-like objects could be seen along a quay, with some vehicles moving around.
Images taken on September 12 show the construction of a large structure straddling the quay and the water.
The most recent images from Thursday, show the structure covering almost the entire quay.
The researchers say the structure is now about 100 meters long, which is much longer than what is used to build North Korea's conventional submarines.
They say Pyongyang may be preparing to launch a new submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles.
Senior Research Associate David Schmerler says the structure could be used for the maintenance and development of submarines, and drive the country's submarine-launched ballistic missile program.
Deep state CIA.
Ping.
Agreed. I’d also suspect that all they’re doing is just assembling something that was provided to them by China, Russia, Germany, or maybe even the Netherlands.
It would be a logical next step.
As I mentioned earlier, at coordinates
Latitude: 40.025417°
Longitude: 40.025417°
DPRK's lone "Gorae"-class SSB is docked in its own pen at Sinpo:
~~~~~~~~~~~
The main Nork submarine base is on the island immediately offshore from Sinpo city.
The colors in the graphic above are wrong. Operational Romeos (at top in poster, above) are equipped with a dark gray anechoic coating. Romeo refits -- including adding the anechoic coating -- are done in the drydock on the island, at
Lat: 39.997814°
Lon: 128.200215°
To the northwest of the drydock, there is a large cove, with several submarine mooring sites.
At lower left (Lat: 39.993408°, Long: 128.210340°) there is a pier that usually has several Romeos and, possibly mini-subs, moored alongside.
At middle right, (Lat: 39.996114°, Long: 128.214940°) there is a dock that usually has at least five Romeos moored alongside.
At top center in this photo, there is a Romeo, returning from patrol.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the northeast (upper right) of this photo, at Lat: 40.000053°, Lon: 128.218490°, there s a dock complex where several minisubs and patrol boats -- plus the occasional frigate -- are usually docked:
Occasionally re-visiting the coordinates provided above, plus using Google Earth's "Time Slider" (clock icon on menu bar) can provide interesting intel re the activities of DPRK's submarine fleet.
TXnMA
For a different (illustrated) view, see # 26...
TXnMA
Thanks! I keep track of the Russian Navy’s facilities via Google Earth, and, now, I can keep tabs on the DPRK’s naval facilities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome!
RE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3779961/posts?page=26#26:
I haven't yet figured out how to share .KML files via FR - have you?
That would be a huge improvement:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
For example, the 1,749 byte (un-compressed) KML file for a close-up view of the USS Pueblo --
docked in the middle of Pyongyang as a propaganda attraction -- looks like this...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2" xmlns:gx="http://www.google.com/kml/ext/2.2" xmlns:kml="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"> <Document> <name>KmlFile <StyleMap id="m_ylw-pushpin170"> <Pair> <key>normal <styleUrl>#s_ylw-pushpin022 </Pair> <Pair> <key>highlight <styleUrl>#s_ylw-pushpin_hl04 </Pair> </StyleMap> <Style id="s_ylw-pushpin022"> <IconStyle> <scale>1.1 <Icon> <href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/ylw-pushpin.png </Icon> <hotSpot x="20" y="2" xunits="pixels" yunits="pixels"/> </IconStyle> </Style> <Style id="s_ylw-pushpin_hl04"> <IconStyle> <scale>1.3 <Icon> <href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/ylw-pushpin.png </Icon> <hotSpot x="20" y="2" xunits="pixels" yunits="pixels"/> </IconStyle> </Style> <Placemark> <name>USS Pueblo <LookAt> <gx:TimeStamp>2017-04-23 <gx:ViewerOptions> <gx:option name="historicalimagery"> <gx:option enabled="0" name="sunlight"> <gx:option enabled="0" name="streetview"> </gx:ViewerOptions> <longitude>125.7397300505579 <latitude>39.04048652047991 <altitude>0 <heading>-3.662677217177532e-05 <tilt>0 <range>133.9595895479009 <gx:altitudeMode>relativeToSeaFloor </LookAt> <styleUrl>#m_ylw-pushpin170 <Point> <gx:drawOrder>1 <coordinates>125.73973,39.040487,0 </Point> </Placemark> </Document> </kml>
...and, when clicked on, produces a view like this:
~~~~~~~~~
John, I do this all the time with my archeological clients via e-mail.
Do you see any way we could exchange these little files via FR?
Many thanks!
TXnMA
Interesting stuff.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.