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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| X-Band Eyes on North Korea |
| 2006-10-03 |
| October 3, 2006: Japan has put a missile detection radar into operation in the northern part of the country. The "X-Band Radar" is similar to the systems used in Aegis anti-aircraft system for ships. This technology uses thousands of small radar transmitters to get detailed information on objects out there, and many objects at once. The missile detection radar has, in addition, the ability to see activity at long distances (in some cases, up to 5,000 kilometers out.) Japan began planning their missile detection radar in the late 1990s, after North Korea test fired a long range missile that could reach anywhere in Japan. The missile detection radar can not only see a missile being launched, but it can tell the difference between decoys, and real warheads, after the missile has exited the atmosphere and sent its payload plunging back to earth. The Japanese radar was built specifically to keep an eye on North Korean missile launches. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #9 I'd remind the ChiComs of that...every 10 days |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-10-03 22:40 |
| #8 Thank you, FOTSGreg, that more closely approximates anything I'd ever bet the farm on. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-03 22:27 |
| #7 The most recent intelligence estimate I saw, and it's been several years since I saw it and I don;t remember exactly where it was, was that Japan could assemble a nuclear device within 10 days. |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2006-10-03 22:23 |
| #6 Or less. JIT. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-03 22:18 |
| #5 They have the largest stock of plutonium in the world due to their reactor systems. They have top physicists. They have the best electronics design capability on the planet. And they have access to deades of public research on how to make a nuke - and how to make the explosives for one. Give them 30 days. |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2006-10-03 20:33 |
| #4 Anybody wanna bet how fast the Japanese could develop a nuclear weapon? I'd wager that they have already accumulated the fissile material. They probably have it shaped correctly just ready and waiting for integration with pre-assembled components already in stock. Remember we're talking about the people who invented JIT (Just In Time) manufacturing. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-03 20:22 |
| #3 It only makes sense that Japan has first-hand information on the provocation if they end up having to destroy North Korea. Anybody wanna bet how fast the Japanese could develop a nuclear weapon? |
| Posted by: Darrell 2006-10-03 19:32 |
| #2 I agree, Frank. Seems to me that blowing it up on the pad - or on the drawing board - would be better. :-) |
| Posted by: .com 2006-10-03 14:56 |
| #1 it can tell the difference between decoys, and real warheads, after the missile has exited the atmosphere and sent its payload plunging back to earth seems a little late.... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-10-03 14:41 |