North Korea Will Nuke American Cities if Provoked (will test-fire ICBM over US homeland)

Korea WebWeekly (May 03, 2003) -- Dr. Kim Myong Chul, Japanese-borne expert on North Korea's military has stated in the past that North Korea has more than 100 nukes, including hydrogen bombs. In a series of statements recently, Dr. Kim asserts that the nukes will strike American cities if the Bush administration imposes economic sanctions or other hostile moves against North Korea. In sharp contrast with his past practices, Dr. Kim states that he is speaking for North Korea: he is relaying North Korea's official message to the Bush administration. During the last meeting of North Korean and American officials in Beijing, the North Korea's chief delegate told his American counterpart that North Korea had at least one nuke. The US CIA estimates that North 'may have one or two crude nuclear devices.'

Dr. Kim states that the nukes were built in the 1980's before North Korea signed the Agreed Framework in 1994. It is likely that the US CIA knew about North Korea's nuclear capability but decided to cover it up with its persistent "North Korea may have 1-2 crude devices." It should be recalled that the US CIA failed to predict the Korean War of 1950 and also the intervention of Chinese forces. The failure was due to not any lack of intelligence but incorrect analysis of the mountain of intelligence.

Dr. Kim stated that North Korea's technical capacity of delivering nuclear weapons on missiles was proven by Pakistan's nuclear tests and missile test-fires. Pakistan claims that it has developed its nukes and missiles on its own. The bottom-line is that neither North nor Pakistan has violated any international agreements.

US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld believes North Korea does not have the capability to strike American cities and North Korea is bluffing. Dr. Kim believes that North Korea will demonstrate its capacity to strike America: it may conduct a series of nuclear explosions and test-fire an ICBM over the US homeland. The US CIA claims that North Korea's ICBM, Taepodong II, failed in its maiden test and that North Korea's ICBM test site was destroyed in a failed engine test. Recently, the warhead of North Korea's 'failed' ICBM was discovered in Alaska.

The US hawks led by Rumsfeld believe that Kim Jong Il and Saddam Hussein are cut from the same cloth and that Kim will go the way of Saddam. It should be noted that when the chips were down, Saddam's 'supporters' deserted his sinking ship and few Iraqis opted to die for him. The fact of the matter is that the great majority of Saddam's supporters were opportunists and sycophants out to make a fast buck using Saddam's name. Rumsfeld is convinced that few of Kim's supporters will die for him and that shake Kim's regime a little and he will be gone.

Dr. Kim asserts that Kim Jong Il is no Saddam and that North Korea's military and people will fight to the end and die for Kim; and that unlike Iraq, North Korea does have the military capability and the will to inflict fatal blows not only to the US bases in Japan, Okinawa, and Guam, but also the US homeland. According to Dr. Kim, North Korea will demonstrate its military capability to hit the US homeland in the very near future.

Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs)

Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) are the most survivable leg of the Triad. This is because of the submarine's ability to disappear in the ocean's depths and its great mobility. The submarine's Trident missiles provide launch capability from around the globe. SSBNs are constantly on patrol, with each patrol area totaling more than one million square miles. Currently there are 18 SSBNs based between Kings Bay, Ga., and Bangor, Wash., each capable of carrying 24 Trident missiles. These units are organized into Task Forces, each with a unique area of responsibility.

Description

Nuclear-powered submarines armed with long-range strategic missiles.

Background

Strategic deterrence has been the sole mission of the fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) since its inception in 1960. The SSBN provides the nation's most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability. The Ohio class submarine replaced aging fleet ballistic missile submarines built in the 1960s and is far more capable. Ohio-class/Trident ballistic missile submarines provide the sea-based "leg" of the triad of U.S. strategic deterrent forces. The 18 Trident SSBNs (each carrying 24 missiles), carry 50 percent of the total U.S. strategic warheads. Although the missiles have no pre-set targets when the submarine goes on patrol, the SSBNs are capable of rapidly targeting their missiles should the need arise, using secure and constant at-sea communications links.

Features

The first eight Ohio class submarines (Tridents) were originally equipped with 24 Trident I C-4 ballistic missiles. Beginning with the ninth Trident submarine, USS Tennessee (SSBN 734), all new ships are equipped with the Trident II D-5 missile system as they are built, and the earlier ships are being retrofitted to Trident II. Trident II can deliver significantly more payload than Trident I C-4 and more accurately. The Ohio-class submarines are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. To decrease the time in port for crew turnover and replenishment, three large logistics hatches are fitted to provide large diameter resupply and repair openings. These hatches allow sailors to rapidly transfer supply pallets, equipment replacement modules and machinery components, significantly reducing the time required for replenishment and maintenance. The class design and modern main concepts allow the submarines to operate for 15+ years between overhauls.

General Characteristics, Ohio Class

Builders: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.
Power Plant: One nuclear reactor, one shaft
Length: 560 feet (170.69 meters)
Beam: 42 feet (12.8 meters)
Displacement: 16,764 tons (17,033.03 metric tons) surfaced; 18,750 tons (19,000.1 metric tons) submerged
Speed: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour, 36.8 +kph)
Crew: 15 Officers, 140 Enlisted
Armament: 24 tubes for Trident I and II, MK-48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes.
Date Deployed: November 11, 1981 (USS Ohio)

Trident Fleet Ballistic Missile

Description

Intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from submarines.

Background

Submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) have been an integral part of the strategic deterrent for six generations, starting in l956 with the U.S. Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Polaris (A1) program. Since then, the SLBM has evolved through Polaris (A2), Polaris (A3), Poseidon (C3) and today’s force of Trident I (C4) and Trident II (D5). Each generation has been continuously deployed at sea as a survivable retaliatory force and has been routinely operationally tested and evaluated to maintain confidence and credibility in the deterrent.

Trident I (C4) was first deployed in 1979 and is planned to be deployed until phased out in the early 2000s. Trident II (D5) was first deployed in 1990 and is planned to be deployed past 2020. The Trident II (D5) missile is also provided to the United Kingdom which equips the missile with UK warheads and deploys the missile on Vanguard Class UK submarines.

Features

Trident I (C4) and Trident II (D5) missiles are deployed in Ohio- class (Trident) submarines, each carrying 24 missiles.

The Trident II (D5) is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertially guided FBM with a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles (4,600 statute miles). Trident II is more sophisticated than Trident I (C4) with a significantly greater payload capability. All three stages of the Trident II are made of lighter, stronger, stiffer graphite epoxy, whose integrated structure means considerable weight saving. The missile’s range is increased by the aerospike, a telescoping outward extension that reduces frontal drag by about 50 percent. Trident II is launched by the pressure of expanding gas within the launch tube. When the missile attains sufficient distance from the submarine, the first stage motor ignites, the aerospike extends and the boost stage begins. Within about two minutes, after the third stage motor kicks in, the missile is traveling in excess of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters) per second.

General Characteristics, Trident I (C4)

Primary Function: Strategic Nuclear Deterrence
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Sunnyvale, Calif.
Propulsion: Three-stage solid-propellant rocket
Length: 34 feet (10.2 meters)
Weight: 73,000 pounds (33,142 kg)
Diameter: 74 inches (1.8 meters)
Range: 4,000 nautical miles (4,600 statute miles or 7,360 km)
Guidance System: Inertial
Warhead: Nuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles)
Date Deployed: 1979

General Characteristics, Trident II (D5)

Primary Function: Strategic Nuclear Deterrence
Contractor: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.
Unit Cost: $30.9 million
Power Plant: Three-stage solid-propellant rocket
Length: 44 feet (13.41 meters)
Weight: 130,000 pounds (58,500 kg)
Diameter: 83 inches (2.11 meters)
Range: Greater than 4,000 nautical miles (4,600 statute miles, or 7,360 km)
Guidance System: Inertial
Warheads: Nuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle)
Date Deployed: 1990

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