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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Detail from North Korea's missile launch suggests MIRVs |
| 2017-07-08 |
| And for sure whatever the Norks have, the Ayatollahs have, too. IF this is true, they probably co-developed this. North Korea demonstrated its ability to reach the continental US with a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on July 4, but close analysis of launch footage may point to another dangerous technological development. Unlike other North Korean missiles, the intercontinental-range Hwasong-14 missile uses a "shroud," or a hollow cover instead of a more solid nosecone, researchers have discovered. ICBMs generally use shrouds if one is "planning on launching multiple reentry vehicles or added countermeasures," David Schmerler, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies told Business Insider. Shrouds usually indicate that a missile has multiple, independent reentry vehicles for a payload, according to Schermler. A missile with multiple nuclear warheads can not only do more damage to its target, but also pose a greater challenge for missile defenses. While Schmerler said there is "no indication" that North Korea has developed technology to miniaturize warheads such that it could fit multiple nukes in a single missile, it could have installed countermeasures in the shroud that would render US defenses all but useless. So we've spent bazillions of dollars on something even the Norks can defeat. Nice. A typical countermeasure, like a handful of mylar balloons that inflate with one of them surrounding the warhead, greatly limit missile defenses' ability to deter or defeat threats. When a missile interceptor heads towards the warhead, a crowd of balloons release, making it difficult for the interceptor to find the warhead. I'm guessing this happens above the atmosphere where even the balloons are still ballistic? No North Korea statements have announced work on countermeasures, according to Schmerler. But shrouded missiles can easily lend themselves to countermeasures. "If you want to fit countermeasures, penetration aides, or chaff, you would need more space" in the tip of the warhead, said Schmerler. In the clip below, watch for the shroud dropping off the missile after the first stage, and then the interstage of the missile drop off. |
| Posted by:gorb |
| #5 Today's Daily Mail: Can North Korean missile carry SEVERAL nukes? Analysts spot ominous cone-like tip on new long-range missile that could avoid US interceptor and launch multiple warheads "An expert on nuclear-tipped missiles told Business Insider that that the 'shroud' seen on the missile is usually indicative of 'multiple reentry vehicles or added countermeasures.'" |
| Posted by: Anomalous Sources 2017-07-08 22:27 |
| #4 Assumption of mini-nukes. Bio-canisters are easier. Posted by: Skidmark 2017-07-08 09:58 Very good point, sir. Back in the day, I knew a surprising number of analysts (in and out of uniform) who firmly believed that a good number of Soviet missiles had nerve gas or bio warheads. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2017-07-08 12:04 |
| #3 there is "no indication" that North Korea has developed technology to miniaturize warheads Assumption of mini-nukes. Bio-canisters are easier. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2017-07-08 09:58 |
| #2 Good chance their missiles would have multiple re-entry vehicles after they get whacked by our countermeasures. Or even after they break up on their own. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2017-07-08 09:12 |
| #1 ...For a lot of reasons, No. *Decoys are very highly overrated. *We shoot at the missile, not the warheads. *It took decades to figure out MIRVs, and the testing to get it right is long, detailed, and slow. And, BTW, really really obvious. In summary: No MIRVs, at least not yet. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2017-07-08 06:53 |