Breaking news
US Air Force test-fires its second Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in a week.
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World Defense & Security News -
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US Air Force test-fires its second Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in a week
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The US Air Force test-fired its second Minuteman III missile in a week on Thursday night. The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched during an operational test at 11:01 p.m. PST at USAF Vandernberg air base.
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 An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 11:01 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016.(Credit: USAF/Airman 1st Class Ian Dudley) |
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The unarmed Minuteman III ICBM was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, flew at speeds of up to 15,000 mph (24,000 km/h) and landed a half hour later in a target area (6,500 km away near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific, according to Reuters.
Col. J. Christopher Moss, USAF 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority. "This is the second ICBM launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in the past 5 days and while it may seem routine, a tremendous amount of effort is required to safely assess the current performance and validate the security of the Nation's fielded ICBM force," said Moss. "Our teams are made of dedicated Airmen who make a difference for the Air Force and the nation and I am proud to be a part of this team." |
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