A hypersonic missile was launched by the US in the early hours of Wednesday morning to demonstrate the “lethality and effectiveness” of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
The Air Force launched the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile around 10am Wednesday morning UK time from the Santa Barbara Country base, showcasing the “readiness” of the US.
The exercise followed Russia’s deployment of its “Yars” missile for combat training just a few hours before.
The US’ scheduled launch was to “demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent,” according to the Air Force Global Strike Command.
The test collected key data points and analysed performance to evaluate the competencies of current missile systems. It was one of 377 similar tests completed in the past.
The ballistic missile was shot over the Pacific Ocean and travelled more than 4,200 miles to a test range in the Marshall Islands. It completed the journey in about 22 minutes and travelled at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour, which is 24 times faster than a typical passenger jet.
Weighing nearly 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) and measuring 60 feet long, the weapon was designed to hit any target worldwide in just 30 minutes after launching.
The Minuteman can carry three nuclear warheads that can reach independent targets more than 6,000 miles away, according to the Air Force.
“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 US nuclear forces,” Acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth said.
“This test launch is demonstrative of our nation’s ICBM readiness and reliability.”
The ICBM is one of two missiles used by the US; the others are submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which are fired from submarines.
The lethal weapon is a key component in the nation’s military’s nuclear forces. However, it is scheduled to be phased out by 2029 and replaced with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.
“The Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075,” the US Air Force said.