Originally Posted by Ace

Why? NK

Why? Iran
LOL

NK, they have been less than nice. They are still holding the USS Pueblo and refuse to give it back.

Iran, their insistance on developing weapons grade urainium.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

I'm biased, as my girlfriend is in Japan right now, but, I say, if they launch that thing over the Sea of Japan, take it out. SM-3 up the tailpipe. Japan is close enough that any launch is a major threat to both the Japanese population and US interests in the region.

I didn't even consider the other nations that could be affected.

Now I say, when it get's 10' off the ground - starwars the chunck of steel!

Yes-
Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, New Zealand - all in range of this weapon, all at least on decent terms with the US. The US is the only power in this world with decent capabilities to destroy airborne ballistic weapons. We need to act - nothing says "Sit down and shut the hell up" like a few VLS Ticonderogas off the coast of your country.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Yes-
Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, New Zealand - all in range of this weapon, all at least on decent terms with the US. The US is the only power in this world with decent capabilities to destroy airborne ballistic weapons. We need to act - nothing says "Sit down and shut the hell up" like a few VLS Ticonderogas off the coast of your country.

Too bad the DDX-21 isn't ready for deployment!

DD(X) is a program designed to produce destroyers with enhanced land-attack capability...so I don't think the advances in air defense over the Burke- and Ticonderoga-class vessels would be that great. As I'm sure you are well aware, we have very capable crews on very capable ships, and if that missile goes up in a manner that the Japanese or US governments don't like, it's toast. Hopefully. Now, if the politicians decide to back down, on either side, that's another story.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

DD(X) is a program designed to produce destroyers with enhanced land-attack capability...so I don't think the advances in air defense over the Burke- and Ticonderoga-class vessels would be that great. As I'm sure you are well aware, we have very capable crews on very capable ships, and if that missile goes up in a manner that the Japanese or US governments don't like, it's toast. Hopefully. Now, if the politicians decide to back down, on either side, that's another story.

Your information on DDX-21 is incomplete.

The vessel is a total arena armament ship. It is capable of much more than what you have mentioned. You mentioned the VLS systems on the Tyco class cruisers. What weapons systems are carried in the VLS systems? Are you aware that the DDX-21 is also a VLS platform?

The information below has been found from a simple Google search. You need to drop the cadet commander mantra and realize that you have not been given access to the full story.

— Multi-mission
— Offensive and defensive combat-capable
— Lethal
— Meets USMC fire support needs
— Automated gun system fires long-range
155 mm projectiles
— State-of-the-art missile systems
— Stealthy
— Minimal radar cross section
— Minimal acoustic signature
— Minimal infrared signature
— Minimal magnetic signature
— Fully Integrated
— One cohesive system for all warfare areas
— One computing enviroment
— Intelligent
— Optimized C4I capabilities extend from
ship to other assets
— Powerful
— Integrated power system
— Capacity for new energy-based weapons
— Adaptable
— Future-proof system design concepts
— True multi-mission flexibility
— Open architecture for computer and
ship systems
— Survivable
— Automated damage control
— Enhanced battle-damage resistance
— State-of-the-art missile systems
— Habitable
— Optimized working/living conditions
— Staterooms for crew
— Economical
— Highly automated
— Reduced crew requirements
— Fuel-efficient power system
— Enhanced supportability
— Pioneering
— Precursor of the 21st Century fleet

Don't worry, I'm well aware of the focus of DD(X), and I know it's not entirely a land-attack development. My point was, the current Aegis systems do their job very well, and any developments of Aegis that will be placed on DD(X) is speculation. The fact that DD(X) will even be built in the near future (10-15 years) is speculation as well. The only thing that I have seen for sure is that it will be an enhanced land attack platform to replace the BBs for amphib. assaults.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Don't worry, I'm well aware of the focus of DD(X), and I know it's not entirely a land-attack development. My point was, the current Aegis systems do their job very well, and any developments of Aegis that will be placed on DD(X) is speculation. The fact that DD(X) will even be built in the near future (10-15 years) is speculation as well. The only thing that I have seen for sure is that it will be an enhanced land attack platform to replace the BBs for amphib. assaults.

You are well aware? Who are you trying to fool? As a highschool cadet you have no clearance, you have no inside information.

You seem to be trying to fool everyone here. You cannot be more aware of the DD(X) than I am. What I can put on this board comes from the freedom of information act and is readily available on Google. Your information might not be from Google, but all you have is specualtion from someone that is feeding you a line of crap.

Your claim to know more than is possible for someone without clearance is first basically a lie and second bordering on releasing classified information if any of it were true.

The good news for you is that you are full of that brown stuff that we all express through our spincter and anyone with any common sense can see that.

Stop now.

I'll respond in a PM...

Anyway...any responses that are on topic? Agree with a shootdown, disagree, neutral, whatever?

OK guys, let's get back to reality here. First of all, everyone has got to remember that North Korea is a sovereign country, with all of the same "rights" as any other country, including the US. In addition, North Korea has been at war with the US, Canada, Britain, and a few others since that fateful day that they crossed into South Korea. They are allowed to defend themselves, and they are allowed to design, test, and build weapons systems that will enhance their defensive and offensive capabilities. In this regard, they are no different form the US, a country that has conducted literally hundreds of nuclear and missile tests, most of which were done outside their borders.
IMO, if NK does indeed launch a missile, they will not be so stupid as to launch it towards an area that is defended by anti-missile systems... and besides, they don't have to. All they want to do is to send a message, and it is quite simple: "We can hit anywhere in Japan right up to the west coast of North America, so you better start taking us more seriously" As to what they really want, well, that is the real wait and see.
Remember one thing, though. In spite of the fact that NK has got to be the strangest country on the planet, they are not interested in national suicide. As things stand, they are at odds with the west, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and in many ways, China. Any moves they make are limited to the fact that they cannot threaten all of them at once, or they could find life a great deal more difficult than it already is. And for them, it is already difficult enough.

Shootdown? Nah, no need, unless you want to test the anti-missile system. I'm in the wait and see camp.

Dean.