Could North Korea Nuke Washington?

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BY NATE COHN

North Korea ... today threatened to pre-emptively nuke Washington ... Could they pull it off?

The Stalinist state doesn't have that capability—yet. North Korea has built a long-range ballistic missile, the Taepeodong 2 (TD-2)... The last TD-2 test was in 2006; it failed in 42 seconds. North Korea's longest-range ballistic missile that works, the Musudan, has a range of only 2,500 miles—not nearly far enough to hit the continental United States, some 5,600 miles away, or even Hawaii, 4,800 miles away.

...

So North Korea began testing a non-military rocket capability based on TD-2 technology—the Unha rockets ... in December an Unha-3 successfully placed a satellite into orbit. In theory, a ballistic missile based on the Unha rocket could hit the western United States, but not Washington.

The ability to launch a satellite into orbit puts North Korea close to an intercontinental ballistic missile, but significant technological barriers remain. After all, an ICBM must do more than get into space—it has to return to earth and strike a target ... North Korea hasn't yet demonstrated any of these capabilities.

It is difficult to predict when North Korea might have the capability to nuke the U.S ... Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that North Korea might be able to strike the continental United States by 2015 or 2016. More recently, General Burwell Bell, former commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, estimated that North Korea was five to seven years from ICBM capability. At that point, they might only be able to reach the West Coast.

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Unha-3 is a liquid-fuel rocket. Since liquid fuel is corrosive and can't be stored for long periods inside the rocket, it needs to be fueled prior to launch—potentially giving U.S. warning of an attack and the opportunity to destroy the rocket before launch. Heavy liquid-fuel rockets can't be moved either, preventing North Korea from relocating a missile to evade a preemptive strike.

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So breathe easy, Washington. North Korea's just talking crazy.

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112614/north-korea-nuclear-weapons-could-pyongyang-nuke-washington

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

I really hope they don't; I'm moving there in 3 weeks.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Washington state, or Washington, D.C. -- No big loss.

[decocker 7,198]

i hope the mountains shield me.

[Ban Hammer 13,573]

i hope the mountains shield me.

buy ammo

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yes, shoot at the incoming icbm!

[Teddy B 17,252]

[quote name=' timestamp='1362768818' post='6031942]

yes, shoot at the incoming icbm!

Charles is a heck of a shot yanno.

[^_^ 5,021]

Charles launches his ammo into orbit, it will intercept NK's ICBM in space.

[Teddy B 17,252]

[quote name=' timestamp='1362769183' post='6031955]

Charles launches his ammo into orbit, it will intercept NK's ICBM in space.

With the wind ofcourse.

[JohnR! 5,495]

[quote name=' timestamp='1362761831' post='6031683]

It is difficult to predict when North Korea might have the capability to nuke the U.S ...

The question is, why would they want to nuke the U.S.?

[^_^ 5,021]

The question is, why would they want to nuke the U.S.?

It was about time a blame america first agent of the left showed up.

[JohnR! 5,495]

[quote name=' timestamp='1362769494' post='6031968]

It was about time a blame america first agent of the left showed up.

What do you blame America for?

[Caryh 5,206]

The question is, why would they want to nuke the U.S.?

Because its Obama's fault.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Because its Obama's fault.

True. I had not considered that... :rofl: :rofl:

[Ban Hammer 13,573]

[quote name=' timestamp='1362769183' post='6031955]

Charles launches his ammo into orbit, it will intercept NK's ICBM in space.

anything can intercept anything, given enough notice. a bb gun can intercept an icbm, not that it would do much good.....