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What the US Knew About North Korea's Second ICBM Launch Before It Happened
The Diplomat ^ | July 31, 2017 | Ankit Panda

Posted on 08/03/2017 4:57:16 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

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To: TigerLikesRooster

On Jul 28 a Hwasong-14, launched from Chagang province, reached an apogee of around 3,700 km. If launched for maximum range, it appears this missile could reach over 11,000 km, and so counts as an ICBM.

11,000 km is about Kansas City from NK.

HOWEVER, that’s with a minimal payload.


21 posted on 08/03/2017 8:25:48 AM PDT by gandalftb
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To: gandalftb
Yes, I heard that, too.

Do you suppose they will launch a 3-stage ICBM with a bigger payload next time?

I also heard that the end game (without using a nuke warhead) is to launch an ICBM with a conventional warhead and make it survive re-entry and detonate before hitting the ground. Do you think this is how they would proceed?

22 posted on 08/03/2017 8:32:44 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (dead parakeet + lost fishing gear = freep all day)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

They sure could add a stage and get significant range and payload.

The Norks appear to have significant guidance problems with re-entry. Conventional munitions for any decent yield are very heavy also, but even 500 pounds would cause quite a fuss.

If I were the Norks, I would do a sub launch, conventional munitions, 250 miles off the coast of WA, CA, or OR and detonate suborbital, just inside international waters. They have that technology now, solid fuel, and have the subs to do it.

Legally, what would we say? That would really poke the bee hive.


23 posted on 08/03/2017 9:36:07 AM PDT by gandalftb
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To: gandalftb
That would really poke the bee hive

Let's pray that their sub can make a safe return trip home afterwards.:-)

24 posted on 08/03/2017 9:49:18 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (dead parakeet + lost fishing gear = freep all day)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
I like the way you think, but there are several possible flaws:

1) Confidence is high about 4 hours before launch.

How close can we pre-position assets near Korea where they
a) won't be detected
b) can actually launch a strike suddenly enough that the target doesn't hop in a helicopter or car and leave in time
c)...on less than 4 hour's notice?

2) Are there any anti-Trump moles who would surreptitiously warn any targets, even through a series of cut-outs?

3) If we try and by any chance *miss*, what are the repurcussions? Do the Norks launch an ICBM to save face, activate sleeper cells already in the US, or screw with South Korea or Japan?
Do we manage to broadcast some of our techniques & methods?

4) If we try and succeed, do we draw in *China* ?

25 posted on 08/03/2017 10:04:23 AM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: grey_whiskers
It is true that extensive preparation is required and asset have to be always on standby. Still we now know that he does not mind being out in the open with others unlike his father.

They talk about surgical strike all the time, but have not worked to put assets in place, so even when the opportunity presented itself twice, they couldn't do anything. If there is another less risky alternative, it would be good, but is there one?

As for Chinese, they are not going to like anything U.S. does. They will always try to move in. That is pretty much a given. It is better to get things done before they can do anything about it.

Perhaps they should put slow-acting poison into his favorite food such as cheese. Or some hither-to-unknown hormone which can trigger uncontrollable weight gain.:-)

26 posted on 08/03/2017 10:27:58 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (dead parakeet + lost fishing gear = freep all day)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
Or some hither-to-unknown hormone which can trigger uncontrollable weight gain.:-)

The dreaded Chris Christie pill?

27 posted on 08/03/2017 11:19:42 AM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Any real threat by the Norks would be suicidal.

The Chinese will occupy NK and install a puppet government.


28 posted on 08/03/2017 2:53:52 PM PDT by gandalftb
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To: TigerLikesRooster

One day (with any luck) his rocket will mis-fire and come down on his fat head.


29 posted on 08/04/2017 8:29:48 AM PDT by Minutemen ("It's a Religion of Peace")
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