N Korean missiles threaten US(ship/submarine-launched missile based on SSN6)

Ireland On-line ^ | 08/03/04 | N/A

[TigerLikesRooster]

Report: N Korean missiles threaten US

03/08/2004 - 15:33:38

North Korea is deploying two new missile systems which could enable it to threaten the continental United States for the first time, Jane’s Defence Weekly reported today.

American officials had previously claimed that North Korea was developing missiles, based on the Soviet submarine-launched SSN6, which were capable of hitting the United States.

Jane’s said the new missiles, apparently based on SSN6, have a range of 1,500 miles or more.

“The submarine-launched ballistic missile or ship-mounted version of this new system is potentially the most threatening,” Jane’s reported.

“It would fundamentally alter the missile threat posed by the DPRK and could finally provide its leadership with something that it has long sought to obtain - the ability to directly threaten the continental US.”

North Korea gained some of the technical data for the system when it bought 12 decommissioned Russian Foxtrot-class and Golf II-class submarines from Japanese scrap dealers in 1993, Jane’s said.

Jane’s said North Korea is also believed to have had help from Russian missile manufacturer Makeyev.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[stuartcr]

Deceiving title.

[blackdog]

One would think a North Korean Submarine would make speed from it's home port and never look back at it's six o'clock until it made safe harbor in America.

[RightWhale]

a range of 1,500 miles or more

1500 miles won't threaten America. It would have to be more. They have a longer range missile that can reach Fairbanks and Anchorage, although what good that would do them is a mystery.

[Poohbah]

The idea is that the missile would be launched from a ship or submarine.

[NJ_gent]

Outstanding. And so the threat continues to grow and expand, and the world remains completely oblivious.

One thing that's deceiving is that the article, or rather a quote from the article, claims that this is the first time North Korea has been able to directly threaten the continental US. The Tae-po Dong II nuclear-capable missile likely has the west coast of the continental US in range, and possibly much of the western US as well. That missile has been flight tested successfully. This does, however, represent a growing threat to the United States - one which no president, including the current one, has adequately addressed. President Clinton tried buying them off - which didn't work - and President Bush appears to be largely ignoring them; which is downright dangerous.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Paragraph four:

'“The submarine-launched ballistic missile or ship-mounted version of this new system is potentially the most threatening,” Jane’s reported.'

[ampat]

Those diesels won't have much of a chance. The minute they start runing their engines to charge batteries, we'll pick up the low level sound. They have to do that many times during their transit to firing range. That of course doesn't take into account any coast watchers/satellites that monitor their comings and goings.

[RightWhale]

I was thinking a N Kor ship or missile sub wouldn't be a threat long enough to make radio news on the hour. The missile, naval in origin, would be perfect for land launch. Always ready for instant launch, always targeted, reliable, and protected in a silo. The nuke warhead would be the high maintenance part of the system.

[NJ_gent]

"One would think a North Korean Submarine would make speed from it's home port and never look back at it's six o'clock until it made safe harbor in America."

From the outside looking in? Sure, I can see where one might think that. Recall, however, that North Korea is essentially a 1984-ish totalitarian state. The mindset is one of everpresent and omniscient authority which threatens the life of anyone who even considers disobedience. The threat comes not only from Pyongyang, but also from the officers on each ship as well.

Remember what the Russians did during WWII - send a bunch of men out into a hail of German bullets, and tell them that they stop for nothing lest they be shot for desertion by their own officers. Those who didn't continue the advance, regardless of how hopeless it was, were shot while running back to the Russian lines. Worked fairly well for them, apparently.

[NJ_gent]

"Those diesels won't have much of a chance. The minute they start runing their engines to charge batteries, we'll pick up the low level sound. They have to do that many times during their transit to firing range. That of course doesn't take into account any coast watchers/satellites that monitor their comings and goings."

The myth of the invincible America is what made September 11th possible in the first place. Continuing to believe that myth at the expense of active defense against real and present threats will invariably result in catastrophic events with mass American casualties.

[RightWhale]

A forward-looking statement. N Kor would not bother to field the naval version. The land version, maybe, since it is cheap, reliable, etc.

[A.A. Cunningham]

You possess the intelligence analysis capabilities of George Tenet.

[RightWhale]

Thanks. I would apply for his job, but I plan to retire soon anyway.

[Bob]

Those diesels won't have much of a chance. The minute they start runing their engines to charge batteries, we'll pick up the low level sound. They have to do that many times during their transit to firing range. That of course doesn't take into account any coast watchers/satellites that monitor their comings and goings.

From the instant that any of them leaves port, I'm quite certain that they'll have one of our nuke attack subs shadowing them (and they probably won't even know it).

[ampat]

You're probably right, if they can get in close enough and stay there.

[CarrotAndStick]

The myth of the invincible America is what made September 11th possible in the first place. Continuing to believe that myth at the expense of active defense against real and present threats will invariably result in catastrophic events with mass American casualties.

Very true. Considering the fact that the CIA couldn't pick up India's nuclear explosions, what hope of picking up a diesel engine's hum?

A saying goes, "-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: CarrotAndStick I'm glad this man was vindicated...the snobbery of people "who know it all" kind of gives extra credance to Paul's remark that "thinking themselves wise they became fools instead."

24 posted on 08/03/2004 4:14:21 AM PDT by freepertoo [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1183887/posts

[A.A. Cunningham]

Good, then you'll cease polluting the labor pool.

You need to sit up higher in your chair so the facts don't sail so far over your grape.

[ampat]

9/11 wasn't a military screwup. We've been tracking subs for decades, during peacetime. We are pretty good at it. All the military can do is that, and report when it gets within firing range, then await orders from "politicians" to take it out.