Guam's shield protects it from North Korean ballistic missiles.

The US and Japan have deployed multiple Aegis and THAAD systems to shoot down North Korean missiles targeting Guam.

THAAD missile batteries on Guam conduct target destruction exercises.

North Korea revealed on August 10th its plan to launch four Hwasong-12 long-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) towards the area surrounding Guam, home to several important US military bases in the Pacific. However, these missiles are likely to be shot down by US and Japanese air defenses before reaching their target, according to Business Insider.

Military expert Alex Lockie said that to counter the threat from North Korean missiles, the US and Japan have deployed a large-scale missile defense network, including several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, a ground-based Aegis system (Aegis Ashore) in Japan, and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Guam.

"The first step in deterring North Korean missiles is for the U.S. and Japan to discuss the conditions and timing that would allow them to shoot down the projectiles," Stratfor analyst Roger Baker noted. If the North Korean missiles are aimed at a dangerous area, both countries will coordinate an interception. Conversely, if they fall into the sea, the U.S. and Japan will remain inactive.

When determining that Pyongyang's missiles pose a potential threat, Washington and Tokyo will deploy a series of warships equipped with the advanced Aegis system to optimal positions along the missile's flight path.

US cruiser tests SM-3 Block IIA missile. Photo: UPI

The main long-range interceptor force of the US in Asia consists of 16 cruisers and destroyers equipped with the Aegis system, five of which are permanently stationed at Yokosuka port, Japan. Tokyo also possesses six Aegis systems on its advanced Kongo and Atago-class destroyers.

The AN/SPY-1D passive electronically scanned array radar on the Aegis system can detect and track a wide variety of ballistic missiles, from short-range to long-range. Each Arleigh Burke, Atago, and Kongo-class warships is equipped with four AN/SPY-1D radar stations, allowing simultaneous tracking of 800 targets in all directions. The Aegis system can also obtain data from the AN/TPY-2 long-range radar, a component of the THAAD missile defense system.

Once the target is identified, one of the six US or Japanese warships carrying SM-3 missiles will fire. These are interceptor missiles designed to destroy enemy ballistic missiles mid-course. The latest SM-3 Block IIA version has a range of up to 2,500 km and can reach speeds of 16,200 km/h.

If a North Korean missile manages to penetrate the Aegis system, it will then face the THAAD battery, equipped with 48 interceptor missiles, and the AN/TPY-2 radar system deployed by the US in Guam since April 2013.

"THAAD and Aegis have the capability to intercept North Korea's Hwasong-12 missile. If both systems are deployed, the success rate of shooting it down is 96%," said Mike Elleman, a missile defense expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

North Korea plans to fire missiles at Guam.

However,The US and Japanese missile defense systems have only been operating under test conditions and have never been tested in real combat. If this shield is breached...If a North Korean missile were to fall near Guam, the prestige of the U.S. and Japanese militaries would be severely damaged.

Given the significant risk to the credibility of the defense shield, the U.S. and Japan will not intercept North Korean missiles unless they pose a real threat, expert Alex Lockie emphasized.

According to VNE