Posted on 07/04/2006 2:02:15 PM PDT by garbageseeker
most things about North Korea, little is known for certain about the Taepodong 2 missile.
But there is no doubt North Korea does have a very long standing and pretty sophisticated missile programme.
North Korea's intentions are under the global spotlight
In 1998, before it began observing a moratorium on tests, North Korea launched a Taepodong 1 missile which passed over northern Japan and surprised Western intelligence agencies by the use of three stages in the missile's propulsion system.
What is striking about the Taepodong 2 is that it could well be North Korea's first genuine intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) - a missile with a range of more than 5,500km (3,400 miles).
Just how far it might be able to travel and with what weight and type of warhead and level of accuracy is uncertain.
But it has been suggested it could have a range up to 15,000km.
That would put Alaska or Hawaii within its reach and even the continental US if a lighter warhead were used.
Proliferation fears
In a sense though, what is more important here than the missile's precise specifications is what it says about North Korea's strategic intentions.
It indicates Pyongyang's apparent desire to have weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them at great distance.
North Korea's thinking appears to be that if it has nuclear weapons, which it claims to have, and the means to deliver them it should be safe from an attack by the US - a line of reasoning no doubt strengthened by the fate suffered by Iraq.
Just as worrying as North Korea's strategic goals are the dangers of proliferation should Pyongyang master a workable ICBM.
In the past, the North Koreans have shared their technology with Pakistan and Iran and other nations and may well do so again.
Bluffing hopes
So what can the US do militarily about any missile test by Pyongyang?
The US has already moved a couple of naval ships off the coast of North Korea to detect and track the launch of any missile.
It is also likely that the US has activated its still unproven and limited anti-missile defence system.
The system, which is based on linking radar and satellite information to nine interceptor missiles based in Alaska and California, has so far failed to intercept a single missile in recent tests.
For now though, the US appears to be relying more on the hope that North Korea is bluffing and that pressure from South Korea, Japan and China will persuade Pyongyang not to break the moratorium.
Foc News is reporting 5 missiles were fired.
I wonder what other type of mischief that laser could do?
A lot of mischief.
from another thread with news from the R.O.K. South Korea as many as 10 now have been launched. awaiting confirmation. 6 have now been confirmed.
Why is the fat little weasel scuttling his missile arsenal in the Sea of Japan? This is really weird ... people are laughing.
This is now not testing. It is Provocation or at the least Diversion. possibly setting an open stage for an attack by somebody on somebody somewhere in the world.
Bump. This crazy little man is picking a fight with the United States
Or trying to divert our attention away from something else.
Both possibilities exist at this point.
Its hard to determing his intentions because Kim Jong-Il is a lunatic.
Agreed.
Bump
I still want to vote for ABL. That'd be really cool. Just a bunch of NK generals called on the carpet in front of Ronery, some aerospace NK scientists executed for their "losing face," Russian and Chinese generals wondering if we've got Star Wars in play, and the USAF flying around somewhere whistling Dixie and holding an Alfred E Neuman picture up to the cockpit window!
Meanwhile, America launches 30 yr old technology into orbit with a bunch of styrofoam falling off and millions of pounds of thrust to offset it.
Damn. Dare to dream!!! I'll drink a toast to USAF Cap'n Luke Skywalker (Jr.) just in case! Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY Kimmy! Enjoy your Terrier Filet while you can!
If Kimmy gives us enough time to get her up in the area, then ABL may be just as fun.
Wonder if it will really be the 21st century Chrome Dome.
You do realize....based on the current website that allows surfers to fire a web-based rifle, that 22nd century Freepers will be able to control a neural based ABL through their inter-brain-communications! FrinK!
I have a feeling that it was used.
good lordie! What the hell does that say?
-VS-
Alas, the ABL isn't flyable yet. The airplane's flyable, but the laser hasn't been installed in the airframe yet.
ANd THEL got canned, the victim of budget cuts. IIRC.
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