As part of its renewed missile testing under the Biden presidency, North Korea test-fired its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to date for the first time on Thursday.
This ‘monster missile’ can potentially drop several nuclear warheads on any city or target in the United States.
This was the first full ICBM test by nuclear-armed North Korea since 2017.
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, said it was designed to demonstrate the might of its nuclear force and deter any U.S. military moves.
North Korea’s return to major weapons tests poses a direct challenge to President Biden as he responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Flight data indicated the missile flew higher and longer than any of North Korea’s previous ICBM tests.
Also, unlike North Korea’s previous ballistic missile tests, images from North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) show that the newly designated Hwasong-17 launched directly from a massive 11-axle Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicle.
The Hwasong-17 ‘monster missile’ is the largest road-mobile, liquid-fueled ICBM in the world.
As reported by ADN, the missile was previously dubbed the Hwasong-16 when it first debuted at a rare early dawn military parade on October 2020. North Korea then test-fired what is now known as a Hwasong-17 first stage to an altitude of around 620km (385 miles) from Sunan, near Pyongyang, on February 27, 2022.
According to TRT World, KCNA reported that on Thursday’s test the Hwasong-17 flew 1,090km (681 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,248.5km (3,905 miles) with the missile hitting a target in the Sea of Japan.
TRT World added that: “The missile landed in Japanese waters, prompting anger from Tokyo, but KCNA said the launch had been carried out ‘in a vertical launch mode in consideration of the security of neighbouring countries.’”
Experts estimate the diameter of the Hwasong-17 first stage at between 2.4 and 2.5 meters (7.9-8.2 feet) and believe it can accommodate four Soviet-era RD-250-variant engines. These variants have been dubbed the “March 18 revolution” by North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un.
Some in the U.S. intelligence community assess that North Korea likely can manufacture a liquid propulsion engine like the “March 18 revolution” indigenously.
According to ‘38 North,’ a U.S.-based project that monitors North Korea, the missile’s total mass, when fully fueled, is likely somewhere between 80,000 and 110,000 kg (88-121 tons), reported Reuters.
Most significant though, is the massive weapon’s potential to carry multiple warheads. Reuters added that:
The Hwasong-17’s size has prompted analysts to speculate that it will be designed to carry multiple warheads and decoys to better penetrate missile defences.
Some observers said that the satellite technology that North Korea claimed to have tested in the Feb. 27 and March 5 launches could also be used for a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) system, potentially allowing a single missile to drop nuclear warheads on different targets.
Adding MIRVs to the mix adds another complicating factor for U.S. defense planners who need to prepare for this growing North Korean threat.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Soo, all the timid Pollyanna diplomacy and trillions the MIC soaked up over the past 70 years, produced only two options for today, after three lost wars and 2 weak ties.
Better Dead than Red. …..OR …..Better Red than Dead.
A middle finger salute to: Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I & 2 , Clinton, Obama, Trump, Xiden, Generals Austin and Thoroughly Marxist Milley!
Soo? Neo-Stalinist Russia sets the Rules Of Engagement, and the west bends over?
Why not follow the precedent the USSR and Communist China used in the Korean war?
They both piloted MIG Jet Fighters based jn Communist China against NATO forces trying to repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea. Thousands of Communist Chinese troops invaded to support retreating North Korean forces.
Therefore, NATO pilots can fly Jet Fighters based in NATO countries against Russian forces invading Ukraine and even send troops and armor!
……………………See how that works? Fair is Fair!
One ironic fact, Russia had 5 nukes in 1950. The USA had 299.
The USSR went all in ignoring their nuke weakness and sent T-34 Tanks, MIG-15 jets and pilots to support the North Korean invasion of the south.
They had aggressive leaders. Unlike Truman who chickened out after he backstabbed MacArthur because of his call for total victory.
Biden’s highly mature show of weakness is having the desired effect all over the world!
Taliban retook Afghanistan. Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. And now Kim Jong-Un is back to threatening nuclear war.
Nothing even similar took place during the Trump administration. The Taliban was pushed back, Russia refrained from threatening Ukraine and Kim Jong-Un stopped testing nuclear weapons.
When the president of America is weak, despots around the world notice.
And we’re supposed to believe that because “orange man bad” is out of the White House, the world is suddenly a-okay again? And we’re supposed to believe that because “mature adult” Biden is now in the White House that other countries respect America again? Kinda looks like the opposite to me. They’re taking advantage of us now.