Options to shoot down North Korean missile

North Korea’s firing of a ballistic missile over Japan could push Washington to use its multi-layered missile defence system to attempt to shoot down a future test launch


BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE (BMD)
Thick lines represent approximate extent of intercept capabilities

Ballistic missile range km
0 1,000 3,500 5,500 10,000
Short range (SRBM)
Medium range (MRBM)
Intermediate range (IRBM)
Intercontinental range (ICBM)

BOOST PHASE

Missile threat

Aegis BMD

MIDCOURSE PHASE

Patriot PAC-3

Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD)

Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)

TERMINAL PHASE


1. Patriot PAC-3: Used by U.S. and allies, including South Korea and Japan, to protect key installations. Could target slower ballistic missiles. Range: 40km

2. THAAD: Deployed to South Korea and island of Guam. Intercepts missile inside or just outside atmosphere. U.S. says it has made 15 successful interceptions out of 15 tests. Range: 200km

3. Aegis BMD: SM-3 interceptors on Japanese and U.S. warships could hit missile in midcourse phase if close to its trajectory. Range: 500km

4. GMD: Interceptors in Alaska and California designed to protect U.S. mainland. Ten of 18
tests successful since 1999. Range: 5,300km

Sources: Missile Defence Agency, wire agencies 
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