2017-07-17 at 2:04 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
I have no way to be sure but I'm thinking closer to 3-6 months
2017-07-17 at 2:27 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
It's hard to say; their entire reasoning for wanting ICBMs is to ward off an attack from the US. To that end it's probably better if they no longer stage public tests to keep the US in the dark as to the extent of their nuclear capabilities.
They haven't actually tested a complete ICBM yet, so they'll probably need to perform at least one more test or risk having to use an untested missile if it comes down to it.
The media like to put an extreme spin on the matter; NK wants missiles for defensive purposes. The rhetoric about destroying the US isn't productive in terms of international relations, but it's designed for domestic (Korean) consumption - it's not so much a threat against the west as it is Kim demonstrating to his people that NK won't bow to them.
You've got to keep in mind that the US and NK had an agreement in the 90s that NK would cease nuclear and ICBM research in return for guarantees against US aggression and aid in developing non-nuclear energy sources and the US walked away from it. China's also been trying to broken an agreement where NK will halt ICBM research for guarantees against US aggression and the cessation of their constant military exercises; again the US will have none of it.
2017-07-17 at 2:30 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
If NK had nuclear-capable ICBMs, I don't think they'd use them for a first strike - the continential US is huge and the small amount of nuclear weapons they could build (and the even smaller number that'd make it through the various anti-missile systems) would not put a dent in the Empire.
The only reason they want a nuclear weapon is psychological, to make the US know they're going to bleed if they decide to attack NK.
2017-07-17 at 2:44 AM UTC
an ICBM would come in really fast. probably 17,000 MPH while an anti missile could maybe do 2500 MPH? maybe a bit faster ( I saw something like this in a documentary) so it's about precesion timing because ICBMs are sort of dumb down with defense. at least a NK would be. The Nike missiles had tactical nukes to knock out incoming ICBM by exploding a high altitude nuke in front of the thing (or multiple incoming) hoping to destroy it or push it out .. maybe EMP knocking out the trigger mechanism?
once that thing can launch into low orbital space (which takes at least 17,000 MPH) it's not stopping for shit. will take a nuke to take out a nuke it seems
2017-07-17 at 2:51 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
It is difficult but not impossible - most current anti-ICBM systems (see the THAAD they recently deployed in South Korea and are planning on putting in Lithuania or Poland, or AEGIS and AEGIS-ONSHORE, the Israeli ARROW) are untested in combat conditions and have questionable testing track records... As a result Russia, US and China have invested in a whole bunch of anti-interception technologies like MIRV multiple warheads, dummies and decoys and irregular and unpredictable movements designed to fool and overwhelm anti-missile systems... Technologies that NK won't have available for another 10 years or so.
A small number of nuclear ICBMs without any special avoidance technology are likely to be shot down before reaching their target.
As an aside, the in the recent US cruise-missile attack on the SAAF airbase, they fired 52 Tomahawk missiles because they believed it to be the number required to overwhelm the Russian S-300/400 anti-missile defences.
Post last edited by aldra at 2017-07-17T02:53:55.669271+00:00
2017-07-17 at 3:26 AM UTC
DocFoster
Tuskegee Airman
[concentrate my unpalatable boomer]
I for one hope our nork buddies emp the shit out of the atmosphere over the states. It's about the only way to be free of the oppressive Orwellian monitoring and slavery
2017-07-18 at 6:51 PM UTC
Originally posted by aldra
They actually have significant mineral wealth; coal, rare-earth magnets and metals mostly.
and not to mention factories. they actually produces quite a lot of stuff.
Product laundering.
i'm sure this is the first time you hear it.
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