The US military will test launch a hypersonic nuclear missile hours after polls close on Election Day.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is expected to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California between 11:01 PM and 5:01 AM PT.
Some Americans have expressed concerns about the nuclear weapons test on the same day the country casts their votes for the next president.
But military officials noted that the “test is routine and was planned years in advance.”
They said the purpose of the test was to demonstrate the “readiness of U.S. nuclear forces” and “provide confidence in the nation’s nuclear deterrent,” amid fears over the growing threat of nuclear outbreak Third World War.
During the exercise, the ICBM will travel 4,200 miles from the base to Kwajalein Atoll, a small island in the northern Pacific Ocean, which will take about 22 minutes.
The weapon can reach speeds of more than 15,000 miles per hour, allowing it to hit any target worldwide in just 30 minutes after launch.
Moscow is about 6,200 miles from California, while Beijing is about 6,000 miles away – the two countries were considered a threat to the US.
The U.S. military will launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California between 11:01 PM and 5:01 AM PT.
The weapon will travel more than 6,000 kilometers at speeds of more than 24,000 kilometers per hour to a test range in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean.
ICBM is one of two currently used by America; the other is submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) deployed from underwater submarines.
However, the American Titan reached top speeds of 16,000 mph when it was used from 1963 to 1987.
Titan was able to travel to a target more than 9,000 kilometers away in less than 30 minutes.
But the missile was phased out to make way for more advanced systems such as the MX Peacekeeper that had comparable speed and range.
ICBM is an essential part of the US military’s nuclear forces and can deliver a nuclear payload to targets around the world, but is expected to be phased out and replaced by the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM in 2029.
The U.S. Air Force said that “the Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure and effective landside of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.”
The upcoming weapon will replace the 400 Minuteman III ICBMs currently in service for more than 50 years in Air Force missile fields at FE Warren Air Force Base (AFB), Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.
The California base conducted the same test in June.
The California base conducted the same test in June (photo)
ICBM is an essential component of the US military’s nuclear forces, capable of delivering a nuclear payload to targets around the world
Col. Bryan Titus, vice commander of Space Launch Delta 30, said, “his test launch marks the start of a remarkable week for our Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg, with two test launches planned from the Western Range.
“These tests are of enormous significance not only to our country’s defense, but also serve as a pivotal moment in demonstrating the exceptional capabilities and expertise of our dedicated team.”
However, the upcoming test comes less than a week after North Korea pledged to support Russia until its victory in Ukraine.
And just days ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the US and Russia are very close to a “direct military conflict.”
“Under the current president (Joe Biden), who has brought the downward spiral of Russophobia in the US to its logical conclusion, our countries are on the brink of direct military conflict,” he told the daily Hurriyet, without saying to elaborate further.
Asked about next week’s US elections, which will pit former Republican President Donald Trump against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Lavrov said the outcome would make little difference to Russia.
We have no preference. “While in power, the Trump administration passed the highest number of anti-Russian sanctions compared to its predecessors,” he said.
“Regardless of who wins the election, we don’t think the United States’ anti-Russian tendencies can change.”