Does NK have nuclear missiles?

Discussion in 'World Events' started by Saint, Aug 13, 2017.

  1. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    Does North Korea have nuclear missiles that can reach GUAM?
     
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  3. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    Yes (most likely).

    The unknowns are weight of the warhead and accuracy.
     
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  5. mathman Valued Senior Member

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    They have missiles which can reach Guam, also much further. What is unknown is whether they have developed their nuclear weapons to fit their missiles.
     
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  7. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    I read something recently that suggested that NK very likely couldn't launch an ICBM from a mobile launcher like the ones they usually show in their state TV propaganda. Even the US more or less gave up on mobile launch platforms for nuclear ICBMs.

    On that basis, unless NK has some secret underground silos or something, it is questionable as to whether they can fit a nuclear device to an ICBM.
     
  8. dumbest man on earth Real Eyes Realize Real Lies Valued Senior Member

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    If you "read something recently", that used phrasing such as "... that suggested ... that NK very likely couldn't...", then whomever authored whatever you "read" would seem to have been less than 100% confident in their analysis.

    "more or less gave up"...?

    - The below quoted from November 12, 2014 : http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2014/11/last-thing-us-needs-are-mobile-nuclear-missiles/98828/
    - The below quoted from November 14, 2014 : http://gizmodo.com/why-the-lgm-135a-midgetman-was-americas-shortest-lived-1657920701
    - The below quoted from April 2016 : https://www.armscontrol.org/ACT/2016_04/News/Air-Force-Seeks-Mobile-ICBM-Option
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2017
  9. Saint Valued Senior Member

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    NK really has nuclear bomb?
    how many nuke warhead they have?
     
  10. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    dmoe:

    I don't much appreciate your nit-picking.

    I didn't "read something recently". I read something recently. Real reading, not reading in scare quotes. If you insist on using scare quotes all the time, at least work out how to use them properly.

    I didn't quote any phrasing. In fact, I didn't quote anything. This was from memory of something I read recently. Like I said.

    The lack of confidence is my lack of confidence. In other words, I was honestly admitting a lack of expertise on this matter.

    Also, none of the snippets you have quoted above claim that the US currently has mobile launch platforms for ICBMs. So, nothing you have said contradicts what I wrote previously. Sure, there is speculation that, at some undefined time in the future, the US or Russia or somebody might eventually develop such a platform. But from the invention of ICBMs to the present, there are no such platforms, as far as I am aware. But I reiterate: I am not in any way claiming to be an expert on this, and I have not researched the matter.

    Satisfied?
     
  11. CptBork Valued Senior Member

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    Moreover, at least when it comes to ICBM's reaching the continental US, the range and accuracy of any missile will be significantly reduced by the weight of the warhead as compared with an empty missile carrying no payload. There are also issues with the warhead surviving atmospheric re-entry, and then reliably detonating upon arrival. These are all issues for NK that can be surmounted in a relatively short time with enough effort, but they still remain issues for the moment.
     
  12. RADII Registered Senior Member

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    136
    I agree:
    1. They have missiles, up to medium-range ICBMs
    2. They have 'nuclear devices' up to the kiloton range [I'm reserving judgement on the megaton device of the most recent test]
    3. They have not demonstrated an ability to mate # 1 & # 2 [no enhanced radiation around open-air missile tests]
    4. If # 3 is incorrect, then they have not demonstrated a great degree of accuracy in their guidance systems
     

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