North Korea's new missile can penetrate US shield
The short-range ballistic missile North Korea recently tested has a low trajectory and the ability to change direction to avoid interceptors.
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North Korea's ballistic missile test-launched on May 9. Photo:KCNA |
Anonymous US officials said on May 16 that the short-range missile that North Korea tested on May 4 and May 9 had similar characteristics to Russia's Iskander ballistic missile, such as having four rudders at the tail to adjust the flight direction and using solid fuel.
According to these officials, North Korea's new missile has a low trajectory and is guided by the Glonass satellite navigation system, so it could become a major threat to the US interceptor system deployed in South Korea.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that in the two latest launches, the North Korean missiles never exceeded an altitude of about 50 kilometers. This flight range of the North Korean missiles is too high for the Patriot system to intercept, but too low for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to shoot down.
The latest version of the US Patriot system deployed in South Korea can hit North Korean missiles mid-flight, but if Pyongyang launches multiple missiles at once, they could overwhelm the US shield.
In addition, this missile is also very difficult to destroy from the ground because it is launched from a mobile launcher carrying two missiles and is highly maneuverable. "This is a type of missile designed to bypass US defense measures," a senior Pentagon official said.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising following Pyongyang’s two recent missile launches, which are seen as a sign of North Korea’s frustration with the stalled denuclearization talks after the second summit with the US in late February failed to reach an agreement.
