Interceptor shield

Interceptor Shield Report

Nathan J Hunt

May 31, 2009

Current reports are confirming that a second long range Taepodong-2 has been transported from a manufacturing plant in North Korea by train and has reached the testing launch site today. In recent days following the countries second nuclear test the north has conducted multiple short range missile launches and US Intel satellites have detected increased activity at the Dongchang-ri ballistic missile test site in apparent preparation for an imminent missile test launch.

Now that the missile has reached the test site it will probably take two to three weeks for preparations for the missile to be assembled and completed and moved to the launch pad and fueled.  To date the North Korean government have not had a truly successful test of their long range Taepodong missile system with previous tests falling short of maxim range or failing a few moments into test, but the most recent test conducted last month in April, 2009 that the north claimed was a satellite launch vehicle showed marked improvement in staging and activation of the missiles sections separations stages but it did not reach maximum range as the north claimed.

In other worrying moves the North has declared parts of the Yellow Sea a no go area for shipping in a possible indication the north is preparing for naval clashes with the South.

Interceptor Shield Report
Nathan J Hunt
May 25, 2009

The government of North Korea conducted its second nuclear test; so far reports are confirming that a test has taken place and was conducted in the district of Kilju county North Korea.
The countries first underground nuclear test took place back in October 2006 but was generally considered to be a dud test since the resulting underground explosion was very minimal and experts agreed that the test was of a very low yield at 1 kiloton at most, but Mondays morning test produced a much higher seismic event measuring at 4.5 on the Richter scale. Russian Defense ministry experts have stated that the device is thought to be a 10 to 20 kilotons bomb, this type of bomb would be comparable to the type of bomb that was dropped on Japan in the last days of WW2.

Monday’s test has shown that the North Korean government has made progress in the design and fielding of their nuclear weapons, but it is not yet know if the North yet has the ability to pair these nuclear devices with their expanding medium and long range ballistic missiles. It also shows that the North is pushing forward with a more aggressive stance in its dealing with the international community.

World leaders have quickly denounced the test as an unnecessary and provocative action, both Japan and South Korea have called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

In the shadow of the bigger test of their nuclear device on Monday the North Korean government also conducted test launches of three short range missiles. Recent reports over the past week had indicated that the North Koreans were preparing for test launches of missile systems this week.