USA: Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile failed

The United States announced today that it had failed to test one ballistic, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) type Minuteman III, clarifying that he was unarmed and an investigation is underway into the causes that led to his malfunction.

The rocket was fired from Vadenberg Air Force Base in California as part of a regular US Air Force test. The announcement does not specify where it was going to fall. Usually test rockets are aimed at the Marshall Islands and end up at sea.

The Minuteman III is the only ground-to-air missile the United States has had in its nuclear arsenal since 2005. Such missiles are stored at three U.S. military bases in Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana.

The U.S. nuclear arsenal also includes Trident missiles, which are launched from the sea, and bombs that can be dropped by bombers.

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