"Can the U.S. stop a surprise North Korean missile attack..." Topic

…against the U.S.?

"North Korea looks set to conduct a space launch in the near future. But while space launch capability is not a threat in and of itself, the same technology could be used to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)—one with the potential to hit major cities in the continental United States. For example, North Korea's Unha-3—which might have an range as great as 6,000 miles—could theoretically hit targets as far away as Los Angeles. Moreover, Pyongyang—which recently tested what appears to be a boosted fission bomb—brags that it already has the capability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon to fit atop an ICBM. Some U.S. officials agree with that assessment.

"I believe they have the capability to have miniaturized a device at this point, and they have the technology to potentially actually deliver what they say they have," Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, told reporters in October 2014. "We have not seen it tested. And I don't think as a commander we can afford the luxury of believing perhaps they haven't gotten there."…"

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Amicalement
Armand

I suspect we can.

The real question is what happens after they launch one, to NK?

I suspect that hitting South Korea or Japan or other short range targets would be a bigger issue. Shorter range – less reaction time.

Like the idea of a Surprised Missile – sounds like something out of DarkStar "let there be light…."

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The real question is what happens after they launch one, to NK?

Yes I'm pretty sure we could. But with them being between the ROK and PRC. Retaliation will have to be non-nuclear. And Massive. Which we also have a lot of in both aircraft ordinance and cruise missiles of various types … I always liked the MOAB the USAF designed for GWII too.

A nuclear attack on the US or any Western power has to be answered with immediate and massive counter strikes. CD will pretty much have to be ignored, at that point …

As with any surprise attack, it depends on how big the surprise is – how big the attack is and how covert can it remain for how long.

But the Norks at this time still don't have missiles that can reach the US. But can shot at South Korea and Japan. So that would require US Counter Strikes especially if Un used Nucs. However, never under estimate your enemy. But Un is all about bluster and sabre rattling, etc. … But again, don't under estimate him or others like him.

Well does it matter?

Something needs to awake this country up and if they did Nuke us the backlash (I.E. us Nuking them back) will put them back to the stone age.

Here we are one year later and the US is deploying missile defense systems in the ROK.

They were talking about this again in the last few days, given all the ballistic missiles NK is firing off.

I'm not so sure the response/retaliation would HAVE TO BE non-nuclear.

Of course, it would be better if it wasn't, but if you want to really be sure to eliminate those deep bunkers and caves where weapons are being stored, and/or developed, then conventional munitions may not work.

Pundits were saying they weren't sure that we could take the inbound missiles out, given some tests that have had issues.

IIRC, they did launch a small satellite into orbit, which means they can hit the USA, if desired. Some military leaders have as much as said so in the news, and that Hawaii, Alaska, and the West Coast are in the target zone. Others think even the western half of the USA could be vulnerable.

Also, they don't have to put a nuke warhead on it to cause us a lot of trouble.

Detonating one or more EMPs in space over the USA might be even more lethal, since that would bring down our power grid and send us back to the 1800s as far as tech goes. That would probably result in tens of millions of deaths to Americans, if that were to occur, since all the critical infrastructure to support our society would cease, e.g. no water, sewage, power, food distribution, money, etc., etc..

Some have also mentioned he doesn't need missiles/rockets.

Nukes can be delivered via subs, ships, cargo containers, etc., etc..

If Un keeps up his crazy actions, he'll need to be stopped, before he has the chance to do something really stupid, whether China likes that or not.

Given the sanctioned assassination of his half-brother with chemical weapons in an airport, not to mention all of the others he's killed in his country with AA guns, it appears he's a clear and present danger to a civilized world, much like a number of others in the news, too.

Again, mostly likely even with possible classified tech. The US could stop a Nork missile regardless of the target.

However, and it was a Ret. US ARMY LTC I saw just now on FOX. Who again reinforced my beliefs. The real man "behind the curtain" with the Norks and Un. Are the Chinese. Regardless of what that say, etc. They too are the first students of Sun Tzu. To paraphrase "All warfare is deception".

They are more than glad to have the Norks keep the US busy. With all of their blather, rhetoric, sabre rattling, etc. No matter how much Un proves to be a nut job. He's their "Nut job", indirectly … or otherwise.

The PRC says they don't want millions of Nork refugees flooding across the Yalu. If war breaks out between the two Koreas. With the South getting a lot of support from the US. And possibly the UN ? But the Russians & PRC are in the UN. On the P5+1. So that could certainly be a factor.

Regardless, if/when the Norks are defeated. Albeit a bloody conflict, they will be. The PRC really don't want a US Ally on their border across the Yalu. E.g., just like the Russians/Putin does not like NATO on their borders. As with Poland and the other US/NATO troops deployed there now. No Buffer Zone anymore.

And that would be the situation when the Norks are unified with their Southern brethren. One ROK. Allied with the USA.

The X-Factor is Un's mental state and Nork Nucs. No one even the PRC wants Un to launch Nucs. But with his questionable mental state. I don't think even the PRC can could insure Un does not literally go "Nuclear". He wants nothing more than having a Korea united under his rule. But if his back is to the wall. I.e. his forces destroyed, burning in the street, etc. as Berlin in '45. Pyongyang overrun by the ROK and the USA. He may just press the button.

So I think and/or would hope if it looks like a Nork Nuc launch the PRC may intervene. They have crossed the Nork border before in '50. But this time they may not leave. And the North would be occupied by their Big Brother. With no intentions to go back home to the land of China. The North will be a more total and complete "Puppet" of the PRC.

Sidebar – Iran and the Norks do "business" for a number of reasons. With their blatant hatred of the USA in the forefront. If the Norks get a "real" deployable Nuc. Iran may follow shortly. They recently don't have any shortage of $$$$ lately. Something many Intel sources whole heartedly believes to be true.

IMO, an good example of, the phrase, "Nothing Good will come of this." …

Looks like it's time to dust this one off, since the rhetoric on both sides is getting hot and heavy, and reportedly, there's conjecture Un may be losing his grip on the military, with all the sackings and people he's killed of late (not sure I buy that, but certainly hope so).

On a more disturbing note, some American general spouted off in the last few days, saying he didn't think we have the weaponry to knock down a Nork ballistic missile during the boost phase, when they're most vulnerable.

I was a bit surprised to hear that stated openly, as well as disturbed if he is correct. I was under the impression our USN SAMs can do that.

I hope he isn't, but don't see why he'd be playing down our capabilities during time of increased tension. Seems like the opposite would be preferable in order to deter the "Dear Leader".

Also, apparently, around the middle of last year, the NKs also deployed a bunch of their tanks to the Chinese border, which is a bit unusual.

Perhaps that's why the Chinese are responding in kind.

Seems like perhaps we need to start swatting any ballistic missiles out of the sky, if/when we can, given the Norks are prohibited from testing, and they're using these tests to develop a long-range missile. Hard to do that if they never leave Nork territory, or territorial waters.

That's the minimum that should be done, now.

Today the Norks did a missile test, again. To show them standing up to the USA again. And show the world what a bunch of real tough guys they are, again.

The missile failed after 4-5 seconds in flight. I'd say Un and is buds have "Egg" Roll on there face … but that is Chinese, IIRC. However, close enough for government work, I'd think !