The United States has recently conducted a missile launch as part of a test for the nation’s emergency response plan in case of a nuclear event.
Nuclear weapons remain a frequent topic in the news, with some global leaders using their potential to instill fear among countries.
In scenarios where nuclear armaments might be deployed, nations often conduct tests to be prepared for such a rare circumstance in the future.
While the chances are slim, it is prudent for countries to stay ready, wouldn’t you agree?
This week, the US opted to test its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which has the capability to deliver a nuclear payload anywhere across the globe.
The missile was launched by the US Air Force on Wednesday (May 21) morning, with assurances from the military that it was unarmed during its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The missile traveled at a remarkable speed of 15,000 miles per hour to a designated test site in the Marshall Islands, located approximately 4,200 miles from the California base, as confirmed by local authorities.
As described on the US Air Force’s website, “The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range. Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables.
“Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center.”
After the test, the Air Force emphasized that it was ‘not a response to current world events,’ despite rising tensions in Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine instigated by Russia.
At the same time, Trump issued a stark warning this year about the potential for nuclear weapons to ‘end the world’.
The formidable Minuteman weapons system originated in the late 1950s, with the nuclear armament entering service in the early 1960s.
Wednesday marked a significant occasion for the Air Force and all individuals involved in the project.
Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the U.S. Global Strike Command, remarked: “This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation’s nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad.”
The US currently operates 400 Minuteman III ICBMs, which are slated to be replaced by new, more advanced Sentinel missiles. However, this upgrade has encountered delays, and the timeline for completion remains uncertain.