According to a Chinese study, a missile fired from North Korea could reach the United States in just 33 minutes.
Chinese scientists simulated a North Korean missile attack on the US, according to a new report citing Open Nuclear Network analyst Tianran Xu.
According to the study, if missile defense systems failed to intercept the nuclear missile, it could strike the US mainland in 33 minutes. Targets on the US’s east and west coasts would be simple to reach, according to the study.
According to South China Morning Post, the study made use of the hypothetical launch of a nuclear-capable Hwasong-15 missile from North Korea. The missile has an effective range of 13,000 km, which is “sufficient to hit the entire US homeland,” according to the scientists.
About 20 seconds after the missile is launched, the US missile defense headquarters would receive a warning, and within 11 minutes, the first US interceptor missiles would launch from Fort Greely in Alaska. If the first wave of interceptors fails, a second wave would be launched from the Californian Vandenberg Space Force Base.
According to the study, the US missile defense system currently in place has vulnerabilities that could be used by enemies.
The US missile defense system has only been 55% effective, and it “cannot be relied upon to protect the US from even a very limited attack,” according to the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
