DPRK's Taepo Dong-2 Said Uses PRC Missile Tracking System: SourceJuly 6, 2006
Report by Takashi Arimoto
Sankei Shimbun (Internet version-WWW)
Washington -- It was learned that missile tracking systems procured from China might have been used in the long-range ballistic missile Taepo Dong-2 and the other missiles fired in the early hours of 5 July. This was revealed by a military source well-versed in Korean peninsula affairs on 4 July.
According to this source, North Korea procured tracking systems consisting of high-speed monitoring camera and radar from China.
The details of when and how the procurement was made are unclear. This tracking system serves to monitor the flight position of missiles accurately and is indispensable for developing missile technology.
Since North Korea does not have artificial satellites, it uses navigational devices, such as gyroscope, to measure flight angle and angular velocity to monitor missile position accurately.
The US aeronautics magazine points out in its issue that went on sale on 26 June that China "provided a wide range of rocket technology" to North Korea in its development of Taepo Dong missiles.
In this connection, the same source said that Iran, together with China, is also involved with (the DPRK's) missile development. He added: "An investigation into the tracking system used in the missile tests will be a basis for determining whether Iran (as published) made the procurement directly from China."
(Description of Source: Tokyo Sankei Shimbun (Internet version-WWW) -- Internet version of daily published by Fuji Sankei Communications Group)
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