That depends upon the trajectory.
After all, our anti-missile assets are not in position to knock down a missile inbound for Beijing from North Korea!
Posted on 06/19/2006 8:47:38 PM PDT by edpc
The Pentagon activated its new U.S. ground-based interceptor missile defense system, Bill Gertz reports in Tuesday's WASHINGTON TIMES, just as officials announced that any long-range missile launch by North Korea would be considered a "provocative act."
Poor weather conditions above where the missile site was located by U.S. intelligence satellites indicates that an immediate launch is unlikely, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
However, intelligence officials said preparations have advanced to the point where a launch could take place within several days to a month.
Two Navy Aegis warships are patrolling near North Korea as part of the global missile defense and would be among the first sensors that would trigger the use of interceptors, the officials said yesterday.
Gertz reports: The U.S. missile defense system includes 11 long-range interceptor missiles, including nine deployed at Fort Greeley, Alaska, and two at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The system was switched from test to operational mode within the past two weeks, the officials said.
I'd like to see us knock the thing out of the sky as soon as it is launched.
I say we try them out
It will be very interesting, can't wait to see it
That depends upon the trajectory.
After all, our anti-missile assets are not in position to knock down a missile inbound for Beijing from North Korea!
Veeeeeeeeeery interesting. Colonel Hunt said on Fox today that if we shoot it down, it means war.
Shoot it down in a "test" of our own. Can't afford to take the risk, and it would send a clear message to any belligerent/rogue state.
We are already at war with North Korea.
We are still 'officially' at war with NK.
I saw that, as well. I guess that all depends on how we destroy it. If it's blown away in the missile's terminal phase, it shouldn't be over any disputed territory. It was on its way down, anyway. I'd just tell them that and add, "You were doing a test. So were we. Thanks for the joint exercise."
We'd never hear about it in that case.
Notice that this didn't say US Navy. I read yesterday that the Japanese had to Aegis destroyers out off the coast and said that if the missile were launched, they'd shoot it down. Can an Aegis bring that thing down?
bump
One of the generals on Fox news said that if we knock it down, it would be an instant war...not sure I agree with him.
That's right, thanks for the correction. His words not mine. I'm sure he meant that it'd be the end of the armistice.
Yes it can. Go to www.mda.mil and check it out. Lots of information on the various stages in which the missile can be intercepted. The Aegis can take it in the Mid Course or Terminal Phases.
And if we don't? How will Kim know it was not another design failure if we do. I doubt if they have a RADAR that is sophisticated enough to tell what happened to it.
Or before!;)
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