Global arms experts say North Korea s latest test of a ballistic missile was an expected but troubling development that further solidifies Kim Jong Un s role as a nuclear-backed strongman.

A defiant North Korea launched what appeared to be another intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday, and initial reports put the weapons range at more than 8,100 miles. As tested, such a weapon would be able to travel more than enough distance to reach Washington, D.C., or New York City.

Experts say its unlikely the missile would be able to deliver a nuclear bomb that far just yet, as it appeared likely that Tuesdays launch carried a lighter mock warhead. But many say such a reality is one step closer, and the test advances North Koreas weapon program despite efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to quash Kims ambitions.

Its the next logical step that we were expecting, said David Wright , a physicist and the co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. North Korea knows what theyre doing. They have an engineering team that knows what theyre doing. Its hard to say if its six months or two years before they can deliver a nuclear warhead, but its heading in that direction.