NORTHCOM general details North Korea ICBM tests reaching all of North America
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Summary
The segment features testimony from a NORTHCOM commander on adversary missile and submarine threats to North America. It covers Chinese Shang-class submarines, hypersonic and FOBS systems from China and Russia, and North Korean ICBM developments including a new design unveiled in October 2024.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately relays the general's statements, which track with public US intelligence assessments on North Korean ICBM ranges and testing. Viewer misses details on the maturity of North Korean reentry vehicles and MIRV tech, which remain unproven in full operational tests per recent military testimony. Submarine production figures appear rounded or projected rather than confirmed. The framing highlights threats from all directions without discussing current US NORAD modernization efforts. Overall sourcing relies on the general's public remarks backed by Pentagon and congressional reports.
Key Moments
North Korea has successfully flight tested ICBMs able to deliver nuclear payload anywhere in North America
2025-2026 US intelligence assessments confirm Hwasong-series ICBMs reach the entire US homeland
In October 2024 North Korea unveiled new ICBM design that may carry multiple nuclear re-entry vehicles
Hwasong-19 test on Oct 31 2024 showed post-boost vehicle consistent with MIRV intent per 38 North and other analyses
Since 2022 China launched eight Shang 3 class nuclear-powered guided missile submarines
Type 093B variants launched 2022-2024 but open sources indicate fewer than eight total in class; exact figure unconfirmed
Russia's Avangard HGV circumvents NORAD ground-based radars
Avangard is operational nuclear HGV designed for maneuverability and defense evasion per CSIS and official reports
Notable Concerns
- Exact count of eight Shang-class submarines since 2022 not independently confirmed in open sources