SGT Private RallyPoint Member666077<div class="images-v2-count-2"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-40425"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
<a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook'
target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Have+You+Heard%3F+North+Korea+Ballistic+Missle+Launch+A+Hoax&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax&via=RallyPoint"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a>
<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AHave You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a>
</div>
<a class="fancybox" rel="6a57ad11546c2748d5d1bc5161ce758f" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/425/for_gallery_v2/image.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/425/large_v3/image.jpg" alt="Image" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-2" id="image-40426"><a class="fancybox" rel="6a57ad11546c2748d5d1bc5161ce758f" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/426/for_gallery_v2/image.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/426/thumb_v2/image.jpg" alt="Image" /></a></div></div>Washington (AFP) - North Korea's claim that it launched a ballistic missile from a submarine was mostly likely a bluff and the images it released appear photoshopped to overstate the regime's military power, US experts said Tuesday.<br /><br />Pyongyang state media announced triumphantly on Saturday that a new submarine-launched ballistic missile had been tested successfully, under the personal supervision of the country's leader Kim Jong-Un.<br /><br />Kim hailed the SLBM test, saying the North had a "world-level strategic weapon."<br /><br />But US defense officials have privately voiced skepticism that anything resembling a ballistic missile was test-fired. And analysts who closely follow North Korea's weapons programs are not convinced either.<br /><br />"I have some serious doubts," said author Joseph Bermudez, who has written extensively about Pyongyang's missile program.<br /><br />The submarine shown by the North Koreans is a prototype that was only recently put into service about six or seven months ago, and it is unlikely the vessel could already be ready to launch a missile, according to Bermudez.<br /><br />Moreover, satellite photos show a barge near the submarine, which could have served as a platform to fire the missile, Bermudez said at an event organized by 38 North, a website focused on analysis of North Korea.<br /><br />It is more probable that the test touted by Pyongyang was carried out from the barge, said Bermudez, who has worked as a consultant to the US military.<br /><br />And as for the images of the alleged missile launch posted by the North Korean news agency, there are details that do not "match up," he said.<br /><br />- New missile? -<br /><br />The images "show a bring pink shadow in the water, a reflection in the water from the missile launch," he said.<br /><br />"And normally you would expect to see this if you saw a flame coming from the engine of the missile. However, there is no flame on the picture, just steam and water."<br /><br />The incompatible details "might suggest that the imagery provided to the public was manipulated or photoshopped in some fashion," he said.<br /><br />The missile that appears in photos does not correspond to others in the North's arsenal, indicating that Pyongyang may be trying to develop a new missile to be used on submarines, Bermudez said.<br /><br />The launch likely involved a prototype missile, built specifically for an ejection test, said Joel Wit, a former US diplomat.<br /><br />Despite the North's overblown claims, the regime's bid to construct an arsenal of submarine-launched missiles is no joke, said Wit, the co-founder of the 38 North site.<br /><br />North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (L) observes an&nbsp;&hellip;<br />North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (L) observes an underwater test-fire of a submarine-launched ballist …<br />Pyongyang is determined to build an eventual sea-based arsenal, but the regime has presented it as more advanced than it really is, he said.<br /><br />A North Korean fleet of submarines capable of launching ballistic missiles represents a strategic nightmare for the United States and its Asian allies. It would transform the danger posed by the North, allowing it to carry out a nuclear strike from distant locations or to retaliate in the event of a nuclear conflagration.<br /><br />Apart from its submarine-based efforts, Pyongyang has already conducted three nuclear tests and is working to place atomic warheads on missiles.<br /><br />Shortly after the Cold War, North Korea purchased submarine missile technology from Moscow and has tried to reverse-engineer old Russian subs to construct a launch system, according to John Schilling, an aerospace engineer who has written about Pyongyang's missile work.<br /><br />If it could muster enough money and receive badly needed outside technological help, North Korea might be able to develop submarine-launched missiles by 2020, Wit said.<br /><br />Even in that scenario, the weapons would not pose a risk to the United States but to neighboring countries such as South Korea or Japan, because Pyongyang has yet to successfully build a long-rang ballistic missile that could reach American territory.<br /><br />Wit said those submarines "would be more of a regional threat."<br /><br />If the North attempted to deploy subs near the US coast, the vessels would be easily countered by sophisticated American anti-submarine radar and weapons.<br /><br />"I wouldn't want to be on one of those subs, because I don't think they could get even close," said Wit.Have You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax2015-05-13T21:36:06-04:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member666077<div class="images-v2-count-2"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-40425"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
<a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook'
target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Have+You+Heard%3F+North+Korea+Ballistic+Missle+Launch+A+Hoax&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax&via=RallyPoint"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a>
<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AHave You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a>
</div>
<a class="fancybox" rel="85b0db14d10b44e0fe3b2b18f05501e4" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/425/for_gallery_v2/image.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/425/large_v3/image.jpg" alt="Image" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-2" id="image-40426"><a class="fancybox" rel="85b0db14d10b44e0fe3b2b18f05501e4" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/426/for_gallery_v2/image.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/426/thumb_v2/image.jpg" alt="Image" /></a></div></div>Washington (AFP) - North Korea's claim that it launched a ballistic missile from a submarine was mostly likely a bluff and the images it released appear photoshopped to overstate the regime's military power, US experts said Tuesday.<br /><br />Pyongyang state media announced triumphantly on Saturday that a new submarine-launched ballistic missile had been tested successfully, under the personal supervision of the country's leader Kim Jong-Un.<br /><br />Kim hailed the SLBM test, saying the North had a "world-level strategic weapon."<br /><br />But US defense officials have privately voiced skepticism that anything resembling a ballistic missile was test-fired. And analysts who closely follow North Korea's weapons programs are not convinced either.<br /><br />"I have some serious doubts," said author Joseph Bermudez, who has written extensively about Pyongyang's missile program.<br /><br />The submarine shown by the North Koreans is a prototype that was only recently put into service about six or seven months ago, and it is unlikely the vessel could already be ready to launch a missile, according to Bermudez.<br /><br />Moreover, satellite photos show a barge near the submarine, which could have served as a platform to fire the missile, Bermudez said at an event organized by 38 North, a website focused on analysis of North Korea.<br /><br />It is more probable that the test touted by Pyongyang was carried out from the barge, said Bermudez, who has worked as a consultant to the US military.<br /><br />And as for the images of the alleged missile launch posted by the North Korean news agency, there are details that do not "match up," he said.<br /><br />- New missile? -<br /><br />The images "show a bring pink shadow in the water, a reflection in the water from the missile launch," he said.<br /><br />"And normally you would expect to see this if you saw a flame coming from the engine of the missile. However, there is no flame on the picture, just steam and water."<br /><br />The incompatible details "might suggest that the imagery provided to the public was manipulated or photoshopped in some fashion," he said.<br /><br />The missile that appears in photos does not correspond to others in the North's arsenal, indicating that Pyongyang may be trying to develop a new missile to be used on submarines, Bermudez said.<br /><br />The launch likely involved a prototype missile, built specifically for an ejection test, said Joel Wit, a former US diplomat.<br /><br />Despite the North's overblown claims, the regime's bid to construct an arsenal of submarine-launched missiles is no joke, said Wit, the co-founder of the 38 North site.<br /><br />North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (L) observes an&nbsp;&hellip;<br />North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (L) observes an underwater test-fire of a submarine-launched ballist …<br />Pyongyang is determined to build an eventual sea-based arsenal, but the regime has presented it as more advanced than it really is, he said.<br /><br />A North Korean fleet of submarines capable of launching ballistic missiles represents a strategic nightmare for the United States and its Asian allies. It would transform the danger posed by the North, allowing it to carry out a nuclear strike from distant locations or to retaliate in the event of a nuclear conflagration.<br /><br />Apart from its submarine-based efforts, Pyongyang has already conducted three nuclear tests and is working to place atomic warheads on missiles.<br /><br />Shortly after the Cold War, North Korea purchased submarine missile technology from Moscow and has tried to reverse-engineer old Russian subs to construct a launch system, according to John Schilling, an aerospace engineer who has written about Pyongyang's missile work.<br /><br />If it could muster enough money and receive badly needed outside technological help, North Korea might be able to develop submarine-launched missiles by 2020, Wit said.<br /><br />Even in that scenario, the weapons would not pose a risk to the United States but to neighboring countries such as South Korea or Japan, because Pyongyang has yet to successfully build a long-rang ballistic missile that could reach American territory.<br /><br />Wit said those submarines "would be more of a regional threat."<br /><br />If the North attempted to deploy subs near the US coast, the vessels would be easily countered by sophisticated American anti-submarine radar and weapons.<br /><br />"I wouldn't want to be on one of those subs, because I don't think they could get even close," said Wit.Have You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax2015-05-13T21:36:06-04:002015-05-13T21:36:06-04:00SSG (ret) William Martin666209<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Let's ask Dennis Rodman what he thinks since he played basketball with the chubby bastard.Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 13 at 2015 10:26 PM2015-05-13T22:26:07-04:002015-05-13T22:26:07-04:00PO1 Jason Taylor666227<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Can't we just kill that ass hole Abe be done with it!Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made May 13 at 2015 10:36 PM2015-05-13T22:36:23-04:002015-05-13T22:36:23-04:00SGT Private RallyPoint Member666286<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-40445"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
<a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook'
target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Have+You+Heard%3F+North+Korea+Ballistic+Missle+Launch+A+Hoax&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax&via=RallyPoint"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a>
<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AHave You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a>
</div>
<a class="fancybox" rel="c0f478b31ad8bcad50cf2bf98ca4c319" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/445/for_gallery_v2/image.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/445/large_v3/image.jpg" alt="Image" /></a></div></div>Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 10:54 PM2015-05-13T22:54:54-04:002015-05-13T22:54:54-04:00SFC Mark Merino666323<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>"Ahhh, so happy I got toy nuclear submarine as my happy meal toy".Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 13 at 2015 11:15 PM2015-05-13T23:15:23-04:002015-05-13T23:15:23-04:00COL Charles Williams666398<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Have you seen Team America? North Korea, China, and Russia specialize in saber rattling, hoaxes, and anti-American propaganda. <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="520566" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/520566-11b2p-infantryman-airborne">SGT Private RallyPoint Member</a>Response by COL Charles Williams made May 13 at 2015 11:41 PM2015-05-13T23:41:30-04:002015-05-13T23:41:30-04:00SPC Charles Brown666473<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="520566" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/520566-11b2p-infantryman-airborne">SGT Private RallyPoint Member</a> how long has that family of mixed nuts been in charge of the asylum? Has to be at least 50 years that I can recall from history classes. Help me out here, please!Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 14 at 2015 12:25 AM2015-05-14T00:25:55-04:002015-05-14T00:25:55-04:00PO1 John Miller666542<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-40455"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
<a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook'
target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Have+You+Heard%3F+North+Korea+Ballistic+Missle+Launch+A+Hoax&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax&via=RallyPoint"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a>
<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AHave You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a>
</div>
<a class="fancybox" rel="8ca32c0cb85635ef393443ea70551735" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/455/for_gallery_v2/keep_raughing.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/455/large_v3/keep_raughing.jpg" alt="Keep raughing" /></a></div></div>Response by PO1 John Miller made May 14 at 2015 1:55 AM2015-05-14T01:55:17-04:002015-05-14T01:55:17-04:00PO2 Private RallyPoint Member666939<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-40495"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
<a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook'
target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Have+You+Heard%3F+North+Korea+Ballistic+Missle+Launch+A+Hoax&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fhave-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax&via=RallyPoint"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a>
<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AHave You Heard? North Korea Ballistic Missle Launch A Hoax%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-heard-north-korea-ballistic-missle-launch-a-hoax"
target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a>
</div>
<a class="fancybox" rel="e3ae51269a3dc67a4fa1baf5b5374e9b" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/495/for_gallery_v2/image1.JPG"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/040/495/large_v3/image1.JPG" alt="Image1" /></a></div></div>Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 8:42 AM2015-05-14T08:42:14-04:002015-05-14T08:42:14-04:002015-05-13T21:36:06-04:00