U.S. Deploys Defenses for Possible N.Korean Missile Launch

The Chosun Ilbo ^ | 7/7/2010 | VOA News

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he has ordered the deployment of a new missile defense system and a sophisticated tracking radar to respond to any North Korean missile launch that threatens Hawaii. Meanwhile, America's top military officer says the U.S. Navy is prepared to try to stop North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons banned by a new United Nations Security Council resolution.

Secretary Gates says the United States is watching North Korea's missile launch preparations "very closely" and he has ordered a new high-altitude missile interceptor system deployed to Hawaii, along with a floating radar system to provide tracking data.

"We do have some concerns if they [North Korea] were to launch a missile in the direction of Hawaii," said Secretary Gates. "I've directed the deployment again of THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] missiles to Hawaii and the SBX [Sea Based X-Band] radar has deployed away from Hawaii to provide support. Without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect American territory."

Gates told a Pentagon news conference that anti-missile missiles based in Alaska are also ready to defend against any North Korean threat. The secretary was responding to a Japanese newspaper report that an anticipated North Korean missile test -- expected as early as next month -- might involve a launch toward Hawaii, some 7,000 kilometers away.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Ping

[NonValueAdded]

“90% probability we can shoot it down” ... is there any probability on the Norks actually dropping a missile on Hawaii? 0.1%? 0.001%? Seems we’re just playing along with their delusions of grandeur. What if we took no freaking notice of them? Or are the Norks getting hard currency from R or C to make us reveal OUR capabilities?

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

“America’s top military officer says the U.S. Navy is prepared to try to stop North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons banned by a new United Nations Security Council resolution.”
~~~
I bet we could sell tickets to that...

[AU72]

It would a million-to-one shot if the NORKs took out so much as an outrigger or a beach tent.

[Thank You Rush]

“”U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he has ordered the deployment of a new missile defense system and a sophisticated tracking radar to respond to any North Korean missile launch that threatens Hawaii.””

“”and he has ordered a new high-altitude missile interceptor system deployed to Hawaii, along with a floating radar system to provide tracking data.””

I’ve read this over and over and I don’t see anywhere that this system (it appears to be two new systems) he’s talking about has to be approved by Congress. I didn’t know new systems could just be ordered without lengthy pro and con discussions about them. Or was that just in the Reagan era?
Weren’t some of our missile defense systems in the US eliminated in the past couple of years?

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Every radarin Japan and in South Korea is in constant monitoring of North Korea. DSP satellites monitor every part of the world for missile launch.That information is relayed to the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, Colorado then to NORAD in Colorado Spring. DSP’s effectiveness was proven during Desert Storm, when DSP detected the launch of Iraqi Scud missiles and provided warning to civilian populations and coalition forces in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I will buy one

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

X-Band(SBX) radar has been deployed for quite a while. They have not fully worked the bugs out.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. failed to use best radar for N. Korea missile [threat]

The Obama Administration is actually going to use it this time? Really?

[sam_paine]

.....I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.... Barack Obama, October 22, 2007

[NonValueAdded]

THAAD had its genesis in 1987 so it is hardly new.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Since 2005 there has been 7 successful tests in a row successful.There have been 20 tests since 1995, 14 of them successful. THAAD entered service in 2008.

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/THAAD_Weapon_System_Achieves_Lowest_Endo_Intercept_To_Date_999.html

[Jet Jaguar]

“missile launch that threatens Hawaii”

How about Alaska, Guam, Japan, South Korea?

Just knock them down on the pad.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Japan has their Aegis and Patriot system.Taiwan and South korea has a Patriot system .In Alaska, they have the Ground Based Interceptors in Fort Greeley and at Vandenberg AFB

[cranked]

Amazing how fast we can muster forces for an alleged NK missile launch but it takes weeks to get 1200 National Guard down to the Mexican/American border......... =.=

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks sonofstrangelove.

[Granny] Gates says he has ordered the deployment of a new missile defense system and a sophisticated tracking radar to respond to any North Korean missile launch that threatens Hawaii.

Psst! Best defense is a good offense.

[The Antiyuppie]

If they actually managed to hit it, it really WOULD be an accident...

[stevie_d_64]

“...Without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect American territory.”

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Good call there Bill.../sarc

And I thought we could get in trouble for divulging ships movement and other classified information...Whew...I feel better now...