A US ballistic missile defense test just failed. Here's what it means

[SirLinksALot]

SOURCE: WASHINGTON EXAMINER

URL: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/a-us-ballistic-missile-defense-test-just-failed-heres-what-it-means/article/2647727

by Tom Rogan


Don't be too shocked by the news that a U.S. ballistic missile interceptor test has failed.

First reported by CNN, the Hawaii based test was conducted by the personnel assigned to the Aegis ashore missile defense system. But while the test is obviously a disappointment, the U.S. remains years away from having a missile defense program that can, with high confidence, launch and destroy nuclear warhead armed ballistic missiles.

"High confidence" are the key words here.

U.S. ballistic missile defense capabilities are actually pretty competent nowadays. While they might struggle with advanced countermeasure-equipped ballistic missiles from China or Russia, North Korean missiles would be vulnerable to U.S. attack across the three stages of flight: boost, midcourse and terminal.

(Excerpt) Read more at above link...

[edpc]

Depending on the target and trajectory, the incoming warhead is going to be engaged by more than one system type and more than one missile.

[Fishrrman]

"After all, American presidents present and future are unlikely to gamble with a North Korean showdown if they only have 95 percent confidence that the ballistic missile defense system will work."

This is why it's all the more important to take them out as soon as possible.

Or strike a deal with the Chinese to do it for us. But... "the price" will be high for that one. Higher than most folks would be willing to pay...

[edpc]

Or strike a deal with the Chinese to do it for us. But... "the price" will be high for that one. Higher than most folks would be willing to pay...

I'm guessing it was probably discussed at some point and their demands were Taiwan and recognition of the Nine Dash Line.