North Korea ‘only one step away from a successful nuclear ICBM rocket’, US expert declares
A CHILLING analysis of North Korea’s missile capabilities concluded they are only one step away from developing a nuclear–tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a US expert declared.
North Korea have repeatedly launched test missiles and are getting closer to the finished product
Jeffrey Lewis, a top expert on North Korean missiles, believes a warhead that is capable of withstanding extreme heat during re-entry into the atmosphere, is the last remaining obstacle.
Mr Lewis said: “North Korea almost certainly has a compact fission warhead capable of fitting on a future ICBM.
“The major question now is not whether the warhead is small enough to mount on an ICBM but whether it is rugged enough to survive the shock, vibration and extreme temperatures that a nuclear warhead would experience on an intercontinental trajectory, in which it would be shot into space and then re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
North Korea almost certainly has a compact fission warhead capable of fitting on a future ICBM
“The warhead fitted to the Hwasong-12 experienced heat loads similar to those of an ICBM (although for a shorter period of time) and survived.
“Separately, North Korea has published images of an apparently successful ground test of a re-entry vehicle last year.”
In recent months, North Korea has been testing a variety of nuclear missiles at an unprecedented pace.
Four new systems have been tested over the past few weeks, including reliable short and mid-range ballistic missiles.
Its new intermediate-range ballistic missile could comfortably hit Guam and the hermit state also has successfully tested new anti-ship cruise missiles.
The expert issued a harrowing warning to those who have been dismissing North Korea and warned against downplaying the secretive states capabilities.
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Mr Lewis added: “Similar doubts were expressed about China's nuclear warheads in the 1960s, prompting China's leaders to arm a missile with a live nuclear weapon and launch it across the country to dispel any lingering doubts. Fortunately, North Korea has not chosen to take such a step.”
The news comes days after Kim Jong-un was pictured cheering on as military fighter jets practice destroying enemy aircraft carriers.
The dictator would like his country to have powerful nuclear missiles
The recent missile launches show no sign of stopping as further tests will continue to take place
Video released by the state’s run KRT television network shows the North Korean dictator laughing with his closest military officials and enjoying the nation’s annual air combat contest.
The show encompassed a variety of destructive combat training and war games, which created huge explosions across an air field.