The United States could use its Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) system – designed to intercept incoming warheads in space – if threatened by a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). South Korea is expecting North Korea to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile on September 9, according to the country’s Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.
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The U.S. military says its defence system and network of radars allow it to successfully track and destroy incoming warheads. But test conditions do not accurately mimic those of wartime and critics are sceptical the country can truly defend itself, even after spending $40 billion over 18 years of research and development.
