The Sea-Based X-Band radar which was supposed to help guard South Korea against a North Korean attack is impractical and fatally flawed, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

The radar system is a major part of the U.S.' missile defense system that it hopes will deter North Korean provocations.

The giant floating radar operates on a short wavelength of 2.5 cm, allegedly capable of detecting incoming ballistic missiles from thousands of missiles away and distinguishing between missiles and decoys.

The U.S. sent a Hawaii-based SBX radar to waters near the Philippines in December 2012 when the North launched a long-range rocket, and closer to the North in April 2013 when Pyongyang announced a plan to restart nuclear facilities.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency claimed the SBX is so powerful that it can detect a fist-sized object 4,800 km away. That means it can detect a baseball over Seoul from New Delhi in India.