U.S. Air Force test-launches nuclear-capable, hypersonic Minuteman III ICBM
Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force demonstrated the nation's nuclear readiness by launching an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California early Wednesday morning.
The test launch occurred shortly after Russia test-launched its Yars ICBM missile, and the Minuteman III completed a 4,200-mile course in about 22 minutes at a speed of 15,000 mph and splashed down at a test range near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, the Daily Mail reported.
"Today's Minuteman III test launch is just one of the ways the Department of the Air Force demonstrates the readiness, precision and professionalism of U.S. nuclear forces," Acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth said in an online announcement.
"It also provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrence mission," Ashworth said.
The launch occurred at 1 a.m. from the base that is located in California's Santa Barbara County and is intended to "demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent," the Air Force Global Strike Command said ahead of the planned launch.
"This test is routine and was scheduled years in advance," the AFGSC said. "Consistent with previous test launches, this ICBM test launch will validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system."
U.S. officials transmitted pre-launch notification of the test-launch to 140 nations in accordance with the Hague Code of Conduct and notified the Russian government as required by bilateral agreements between the two nations.
The Minuteman III ICBM is a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at a speed equal to at least five times the speed of sound and is capable of striking Moscow within 30 minutes of its launch.
It can carry up to three nuclear warheads and can reach targets more than 6,000 miles distant, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The missile has a maximum speed of 15,000 mph, measures nearly 60 feet in length and weighs about 80,000 pounds.
While in flight, three solid rocket fuel engines power the missile, which follows a curved trajectory before releasing its warheads to strike their intended targets.
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