The US Air Force on Tuesday tested an unarmed long-range nuclear-capable missile, according to the Air Force’s Global Attack Command.
The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, equipped with a test re-entry vehicle, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and traveled 6,700 km to a test field near the Marshall Islands.
The missile, launched at 4:00 am EDT, was “to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the country’s nuclear deterrent,” an Air Force statement said.
“This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, reliable and effective in deterring 21st century threats and reassuring our allies. These tests have taken place over 300 times before and are not the result of current world events,” the statement continued.
Earlier this month, the US postponed a long-planned missile test of a decommissioned Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile over concerns over China’s angry response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.
In March, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also canceled a planned test of a Minute Man III intercontinental ballistic missile to prevent “any action that could be misinterpreted or misinterpreted” during heightened tensions with Russia, the spokesman said. Pentagon voice John Kirby at the time.
The US regularly tests its intercontinental weapons system to verify its accuracy and reliability.
“Make no mistake – our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and our allies around the world,” Colonel Chris Cruise, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said in a statement.
“This scheduled test launch is a demonstration of how our nation’s fleet of ICBMs illustrates our weapons system readiness and reliability. It is also a great platform to showcase the skill sets and experience of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and our missile teams who maintain unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland.”
The Minuteman III is traditionally known as the only land leg of the US nuclear triad. The other two parts of the triad are the submarine-launched ballistic missile Trident and the nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.
Chandelis Duster and Barbara Starr of CNN contributed to this story.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
