US $200 billion shield shaken by North Korean missiles

The GMD land-based interceptor system's success rate is only 55%, making experts skeptical that this shield can protect the US from North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles.

While the US was celebrating its 241st Independence Day, North Korea quietly launched its first ballistic missile, calling it a "gift" to Washington.

On July 4, North Korea successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) called the Hwasong-14. The missile reached an altitude of 2,802 km and flew 933 km. Military experts said that if launched at a standard trajectory, the missile could reach a range of 6,700 km, capable of attacking the US state of Alaska.

“We are confident in our ability to counter threats, even emerging threats,” Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told reporters at a press conference on July 6.

Spokesman Davis cited a successful intercept test in May. A US interceptor successfully destroyed a simulated ICBM target, but he admitted the test program was far from perfect.

“Despite mixed results in testing, we were able to fire more than one interceptor,” said spokesman Davis.

Skepticism about effectiveness

Experts warn that North Korea's missile technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that U.S. missile defenses could be overwhelmed unless they keep up with the threat. "In the coming years, the U.S. must further enhance its existing capabilities and accelerate deployment," said Riki Ellison, co-founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

An interceptor missile of the GMD system leaves the launch pad during a test in May. Photo: Boeing.

The test records of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) show that the results are not really positive. The components of the shield that MDA built are multi-layered, using sensors in space, at sea and on land to create a protective umbrella for the US and other territories.

Of these, the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system has a success rate of only 55% in tests. The Aegis BMD sea-based missile defense system deployed on warships and Aegis ashore have a success rate of about 83%.

Finally, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system has the highest success rate of 100%, in 13 tests since 2006. According to the US Congressional Research Service, the government has spent more than $200 billion on developing and testing missile defense systems.

However, many experts believe that the results from the tests do not prove that the US can prevent a nuclear attack from North Korea. Laura Grego, a physicist at the Federation of American Scientists, told Business Insider: "It cannot be proven to operate in a real combat environment, because the testing conditions are much more favorable."

The director of the MDA himself admitted that missile defenses are not really effective, especially with the GMD system. Michael Elleman, of the Institute for Defense Strategic Studies, said that although North Korea has made progress in building a reliable ICBM, there is no guarantee that the US can protect itself.

Why is ICBM dangerous?

ICBMs are very difficult to intercept. Photo of North Korea's Hwasong-14 missile leaving the launch pad. Photo: KCNA/Reuters.

“ICBMs are dangerous because they allow a country to move beyond the local context and move toward global impact,” John Pike, a security expert, told Business Insider. “Regardless of the source of the conflict, a country can have an impact around the world simply by spreading the war with ICBMs.”

ICBMs typically use a three-stage engine, with the booster stage used to propel the missile off the launch pad to an altitude of about 150-400 km. After burning out its fuel, it separates from the rocket body and activates the second-stage engine to propel the missile to an altitude of about 1,200 km.

Then, the third stage engine continues to be activated to gradually reduce the missile's altitude. When it is about 100 km above the ground, the warhead will separate from the missile and rush to the target at a speed of about 20 times the speed of sound (about 24,000 km/h).

What makes ICBMs so dangerous is that they are virtually impossible to stop. Once launched, the missile simply flies towards its target. Traveling at speeds of up to 24,000 km/h, intercepting them is extremely difficult.

According to Zing.vn