Pentagon warns a North Korean missile launch would be 'provocative' (U.S. to Intercept?)

AFP (via Yahoo!) ^

[Rutles4Ever]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Defense Department warned that a North Korean launch of a long-range missile would be a "provocative act." ADVERTISEMENT

"There are reports they may be preparing for a long-range missile launch," said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman.

"The United States government as a whole has been consulting with allies in the region and has made clear than a North Korean missile launch would be a provocative act," he said.

Whitman noted that the United States has limited missile defenses but would not say whether it intends to use them against a North Korean missile launch.

However, he pointedly used the term "launch" rather than "test" to describe the North Korean preparations and said Pyongyang's intentions were not clear.

"A test would imply that you would know the intentions," he said. "We don't know the intentions."

North Korea last tested a long range missile in 1998 when it fired a two-stage Taepodong missile over Japan, causing an international furore.

It declared a moratorium on flight tests of long range missiles in 1999 but said in 2005 that it would no longer keep to it.

As early as 2004, US intelligence reported that North Korea may have a Taepodong-2 missile capable of reaching the United States with a nuclear-weapon sized payload ready for flight testing.

US military intelligence believes a two-stage Taepodong-2 missile could reach the United States, while a three-stage Taepodong-2 could range the entire continental United States.

[EQAndyBuzz]

What would even be cooler is the US after doing this, tells the world that they share their technology with Israel.

Israel can then say that any missile that is fired at their country and is shot down will be the recipient of an Israeli missile.

[Cinnamon Girl]

[SamAdams_Lite]

For NK to step down now would be a massive loss of face.

[RightWhale]

does the US have the right to launch one of their missiles

The US launches missiles every day.

[Anne of DC]

Scary but I've learned there is nothing that I need to be scared of when I believe and trust in God.

So, I'm not afraid of N.Korea launching any kind of missle at us because of that truth.

But, however, I also believe in the right to protect ourselves as well.

[Anne of DC]

Hope so too.

[GrandEagle]

It is very difficult to actually hit a flying ICBM. They are usually very high and very fast. Not impossible, but difficult. When intercepting, by the time you detect that you are on target, you have very little reaction time. Take an ICBM that is 100 ft long flying at Mach 3 (just a guess - probably faster) and you try and hit it head on with you own missile that is flying say, Mach 3 also. 100 feet goes by in a hurry!
Your only other option is a side shot where you try and calculate an intercept point based in your and your targets trajectory. Not really accurate, but more likely than a head shot.
Then there is the tail shot. Pretty accurate if you can catch it. A bit unlikely with a missile that you can catch the thing in a timely manor.
Best shot would be a tactical nuke. Get close and detonate.
I'm sure technology has changed in the last 25 years but basic physics has not. Really difficult shot.

Cordially,
GE

[Mike Darancette]

We would be in essense telling him "Neeenner, neener, neener!!!

Or we could leave them wondering why their test failed ....

[DoctorMichael]

(U.S. to Intercept?)

I certainly hope so.

[conserv13]

If NK launches a missile and it gets shot down, does the US have the right to launch one of their missiles?

No, that would only make things worse. The best thing to do about North Korea is ignore them.

[RightWhale]

Granted the payload could weigh up to half a ton, and half a ton of concrete falling out of the sky would dig a divot out of the garden, but what is scary if the chances are one in a brazillion the payload will hit anything but water or gov't land. Especially in Alaska where 99% of the land is gov't land.

[ClearCase_guy]

It would be easier to take it out on the launch pad! :)

It would be really sweet if it accidentally exploded during the final countdown.

But I don't think our beam weapons can do that.

[Mike Darancette]

It would be hard to deny it ...

I don't think MK would be quite that anxious to admit that their missiles would not work against a US protected target.

[American Quilter]

Welcome to FR, Anne!

[GrandEagle]

But I don't think our beam weapons can do that.
Is this up and running?

[freebird5850]

In 98 the missle landed off the coast of Washington..I live in Washington. What if they just decided to use the same coordinates with this more powerful booster?

[SE Mom]

Then there is the tail shot. Pretty accurate if you can catch it. A bit unlikely with a missile that you can catch the thing in a timely manor.

---

Wouldn't this the best bet- obviously we are watching this moment by moment..eyes are on the target..assuming we can deploy something STAT..

[KevinDavis]

Maybe if we close the borders the NK problem will be solved...

[Mike Darancette]

Attempting an intercept and failing could be very, very embarassing.

That is one reason that we wouldn't announce it, at least ahead of time.

[Anne of DC]

Ya gotta point there! :o)