An EMP high over Guam would be the most effective type of strike. Can missile defense get that high?
Guam, eh? It is a long-held nuke storage and bomber base (since the early 50’s), but a poor target for someone lobbing missiles from the NorK’s latitude. Even a little bit sideways, or long, or short and, “Who cares? It missed.” And, when it misses, there is nothing around Guam to get hit.
But the launch itself, and the explosion or the failure to explode, give us immediate reasons to destroy their government, military, and Kim himself.
“An EMP high over Guam would be the most effective type of strike.”
No, it wouldn’t. That EMP crap is far overblown.
Aegis BMD or Aegis Ashore is a mid-course interceptor (extra-atmospheric), so the SM-3 can get that high. Guam has a THAAD battery or two, which can also get up to the top of the atmosphere (at Mach 9.5+). Ideally, the systems would operate together, with Aegis launching first and THAAD doing the mop-up if anything got through.
Uh, no. I don't know what the obsession is with EMP attacks on FR, but a ground zero or low altitude nuclear detonation on any major population center would be far more devastating and immediate. Sheesh.