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China-Japan-Koreas
Warships Dispatched as N.Korea Rocket Launch Nears
2009-03-29
South Korea, Japan and the United States dispatched five Aegis class vessels, including the South's King Sejong the Great destroyer, to track down a rocket North Korea is poised to launch. The missile has apparently been set up at a launch pad in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province. A South Korean military source on Thursday said Seoul decided to immediately deploy the King Sejong the Great in the East Sea when it became clear the North had set up the rocket. The ship is South Korea's first Aegis class naval vessel and equipped with radar that can track ballistic missiles as far as 1,024 km away.

The U.S. Navy has deployed two of its own Aegis vessels -- the USS Chaffee (DDG-90) and the USS John McCain (DDG-56) -- to track the missile following their participation in joint military drills with South Korea. Japan has also deployed two Aegis vessels in the East Sea -- the Kongo and Chokai -- which are equipped with SM-3 interceptor missiles.
So the SKors and the Japanese are serious. In particular, it seems like the Japanese are almost Jonesing for a chance to shoot down the Nork missile. How serious is Bambi?
U.S. intelligence officials are apparently finding it difficult to determine whether the rocket is a ballistic missile or a satellite-launch vehicle, since the North Koreans have placed a tarpaulin over the warhead.
Doesn't matter. Two different UN resolutions, 1695 and 1718, require the Norks to cease and desist whatever it is they're doing.
Intelligence agencies believe the first stage of the missile has a stronger thrust than originally believed, since it was made by combining five to six Rodong missile rockets into one.
Posted by:Steve White

#1  How serious is Bambi?

No very. Not very much at all.

Intelligence agencies believe the first stage of the missile has a stronger thrust than originally believed, since it was made by combining five to six Rodong missile rockets into one.

I tried that once with M-80's. Tried to blow a tree limb off. Didn't work then either.
Posted by: Besoeker   2009-03-29 12:22  

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