North Korean ICBM could hit US in 33 minutes due to gaps in America's missile ... trends now
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North Korea could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at the United States that would hit the country in just 33 minutes, China has claimed.
Scientists in Beijing have simulated the ICBM launch and believe Pyongyang would be able to hit the country should the U.S.'s nuclear defence fail to intercept the missile.
The team of scientists from the Beijing Institute of Electronic System Engineering said North Korea's nuclear-capable Hwasong-15 missile with a range of over 8,000 miles (around 13,000 kilometres) would be 'sufficient to hit the entire US homeland'.
The simulation also suggested that there were gaps in the U.S. nuclear defence armoury.
The scientists said their tests showed the existing US missile defence network had gaps in its 'kill chain' and would struggle to identify and defend against an attack.
A ballistic missile is pictured being launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea, February 20
A missile is displayed during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, February 8
The new research and simulation published by China's top institute for aerospace defence was led by scientist Tang Yuyan and released in the Modern Defence Technology Journal for February.
The simulation started with a launch from Sunchon, a North Korean city south of capital Pyongan, and targeted Columbia in Missouri. The specific location was selected for its centrality in the middle of America.
Running the tests, the team
