The main reason why neither the US nor Japan tried to intercept a North Korean missile fired over Hokkaido on September 15 is that they couldn’t.
Missile expert Joe Cirincione says in an analysis on Defense One that any attempt to hit the intermediate-range ballistic missile was problematic since it was already too high for US-made Aegis or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile systems to destroy.
“Neither Japan nor the United States could have intercepted the missile. None of the theater ballistic missile defense weapons in existence can reach that high. It is hundreds of kilometers too high for the Aegis interceptors deployed on Navy ships off Japan. Even higher for the THAAD systems in South Korea and Guam. Way too high for the Patriot systems in Japan, which engage largely within the atmosphere,” Cirincione wrote.
His analysis was echoed over the weekend on Japanese-language news websites and in the US press.
Cirincione notes that existing US anti-missile systems are basically designed to hit a missile in the post-mid-course or terminal phase. This is when the projectiles are on their way down and more or less headed straight at the interceptor system.
“Patriot is meant to protect relatively small areas such as ports or air bases; THAAD defends a larger area; the advanced Aegis system theoretically could defend thousands of square kilometers,” he said.
Cirincione says the only window for hitting such missiles is during the initial launch phase. But even here, the odds of hitting the target aren’t good. “There is almost no chance of hitting a North Korean missile on its way up unless an Aegis ship was deployed very close to the launch point, perhaps in North Korean waters,” Cirincione said.
Gus Vongsavath
US law is even darker and more evil.
Mansoor Aftab
No worry. Just a troll
Ha ha ha????
Kerry Richards you are a citizen of stanatic country. You only want to kill otehrs. you are a demon. you are promoting war.
Shakeel Ahmad
U say sympathies?
Do north Koreans even have for them selves?
@John Dlamini, if you are your right senses, you will understand that the looted funds are taking to West, been it America, Europe, Swiss Banks etc. Corruption is a two way thing, the receiving countries are more corrupt, that is, the West is more corrupt than the African leaders/nations. Out of 100% of Africa’s looted funds, 95% is invested/kept/saved in US, Britain, Swiss Banks etc. The west use the money to develop their nations, now, is the West not the same thief? If you take/accept/ a stolen property, you are a thief too. "No body does not give what he does not have" this is a legal Latin translation of a thief within thief’s, the West is the thief within thieves here as Africa’s stolen money is taken to West and the West will open dirty mouth and still call Africa corrupt. President Buhari of Nigeria some days back and the UNGA 72 asked world leaders especially the wlWest to repatriate looted funds, what does that mean?
How can China have all of the above than United state except population?
This is why Trump talks about destroying North Korea if threatened
I like USA, is the only country in the world, who have give us democracy, not China oh north korea …Russia…those countries the are supporting corruption leaders in Africa, who the are oppressing there people. .
GOOD POINT BRO TELL THEM
Ademola Falade IF THEY ARE POOR AS YOU THINK DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THAT WAS INVOLVES TO BUILD NUCLAER ARMS MAKE RESAERCH AND GET FACTS FOR YOURSELF CNN AND MSN IS KEEPING YOUR GUYS IN THE DARK YOU BETTER WAKE UP AND SEE THE REALITY
Joseph Casto American army have been defeated times without number, in Vietnam, American can not exist without Britain, France and NATO, but Russia and China survive without support from outside, I study international Relations and I know the America’s mentality. If the US is that powerful, why does it keep begging for allies and alliances? Think up
Joseph Casto American army have been defeated times without number, in Vietnam, American can not exist without Britain, France and NATO, but Russia and China survive without support from outside, I study international Relations and I know the America’s mentality. If the US is that powerful, why does it keep begging for allies and alliances? Think up guys
Shakeel Ahmad yes the under dog gets the sympathy not the barking dog.
Joseph Casto when did that happen? Lol
Aondohemba Godwin Mnyim
Go join the Koreans and fight for them. Obviously you arr against Gods blessed soldiers that have already won.
That is a big mistake on your part.State like North Korea cannot handle or check mate country like USA.NK will only waste life of innocent people and surfer the rest.This is the country that cannot feed and Carter for his citizens on a good day ,how can She manage a war? NK has fewer friends around her that are not even ready to support her on war part.
Why ain’t just talk about peace rather than power! US strong china strong NK strong whatever country strong blah blah blah! Bet u guys when WWlV start those who strong whatever country they are they can’t protect innocent people!!
LOVE & PEACE is more stronger than any country you betting on!!
N. Korea is potential threat and can not be underestimated its abilty to make havoc and dooms
There is no problem, at least the US and allies could use their anti-missile system when the No. Korea ‘s missile is in their range! No, Korea, for instance, has nothing to shoot the allies’s missile when the war breaks out!