Undecided
05-11-04, 08:31 PM
On 12 September 2003 it was reported that North Korea was working on a new missile, is based on the Soviet SS-N-6 submarine-launched missile.
----------------------
In May 2004 it was reported that prior to the Foundation Day parades on 09 September 2003, as many as ten of the missiles and five launchers were to Mirim Airbase, the preparation site for the parades. Although the missiles were not featured in the celebrations, they were noticed by Western intelligence, which prompted the news reports a few days later.
----------------------------
The new missile was assessed as having a range of between 2,750 km to 4,000 km [1,800 to 2,500 miles], thus capable of targeting American bases in Guam and Okinawa. The construction of the two facilities was taken to indicate that North Korea was sufficiently confident of the performance of the new missile to begin preparations to deploy it.
---------------------------
Variants of the SS-N-6 had ranges of 2,400 km and 3,200, consistent with the lower end of the reported range of the Nodong-B. It is plausible that another 1,000 km of range might have been achieved in the Nodong-B as a result of a longer propellant tank, though at the price of lower thrust-to-weight ratio, slower acceleration, and offsetting compromise in range due to gravity loss.
------------------------
Alternately, the Nodong-B might be intended for use with a [presumably] heavier uranium bomb design, maintaining the range coverage of the Nodong-1/2 which was presumably designed with a lighter plutonium bomb design.
I did my essay on NK's long ranged capabilities, but I omitted this new missile. I did discuss the SS-N-6 missile sale in the mid-90’s. The missile sale of the SLBM to NK is significant because it does allow NK's missiles to be more accurate, have a proven design to emulate, and better adapt other missiles for increased effectiveness. Also this missile would be unpar with the SS-22’s of the Mid-80’s at least in terms of range, this gives NK a effective IRBM to push the US around with. Also there are rumors inside the administration of the TPX missile which is expected to be the one which can attack North America proper. I would suspect that heavy influence of the SS-N-6 is present in that missile. I would not underestimate the NK's they aren't as backward as you would presume.
----------------------
In May 2004 it was reported that prior to the Foundation Day parades on 09 September 2003, as many as ten of the missiles and five launchers were to Mirim Airbase, the preparation site for the parades. Although the missiles were not featured in the celebrations, they were noticed by Western intelligence, which prompted the news reports a few days later.
----------------------------
The new missile was assessed as having a range of between 2,750 km to 4,000 km [1,800 to 2,500 miles], thus capable of targeting American bases in Guam and Okinawa. The construction of the two facilities was taken to indicate that North Korea was sufficiently confident of the performance of the new missile to begin preparations to deploy it.
---------------------------
Variants of the SS-N-6 had ranges of 2,400 km and 3,200, consistent with the lower end of the reported range of the Nodong-B. It is plausible that another 1,000 km of range might have been achieved in the Nodong-B as a result of a longer propellant tank, though at the price of lower thrust-to-weight ratio, slower acceleration, and offsetting compromise in range due to gravity loss.
------------------------
Alternately, the Nodong-B might be intended for use with a [presumably] heavier uranium bomb design, maintaining the range coverage of the Nodong-1/2 which was presumably designed with a lighter plutonium bomb design.
I did my essay on NK's long ranged capabilities, but I omitted this new missile. I did discuss the SS-N-6 missile sale in the mid-90’s. The missile sale of the SLBM to NK is significant because it does allow NK's missiles to be more accurate, have a proven design to emulate, and better adapt other missiles for increased effectiveness. Also this missile would be unpar with the SS-22’s of the Mid-80’s at least in terms of range, this gives NK a effective IRBM to push the US around with. Also there are rumors inside the administration of the TPX missile which is expected to be the one which can attack North America proper. I would suspect that heavy influence of the SS-N-6 is present in that missile. I would not underestimate the NK's they aren't as backward as you would presume.