02.11.2023, 10:23
Zitat:Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Self Destructs During Test Launchhttps://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/mi...est-launch
Though the failure of a Minuteman III missile is concerning, it is precisely why these tests are routinely carried out. [...]
The U.S. Air Force says an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was "safely terminated" over the Pacific Ocean after an unspecified "anomaly" occured during a routine test launch overnight. A delegation from South Korea also observed this particular test, in line with a new bilateral strategic cooperation agreement the country signed with the United States earlier this year.
The most recent LGM-30G missile test flight came to an end at approximately 12:06 AM PST, according to a press release from Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The missile had been launched from a test silo at what is now Vandenberg Space Force Base and U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 was the unit that commanded the termination – a euphemism for the self-destruction of the Minuteman III. [...]
The U.S. military routinely conducts test launches of unarmed Minuteman III ICBMs to demonstrate the reliability of these missiles, which make up one leg of America's nuclear deterrent triad, as well as for other test and evaluation purposes. The U.S. Air Force currently has some 400 Minuteman III missiles, each loaded with a single nuclear warhead, loaded into silos spread across five states. [...]
There are no clear indications as of yet as to what might have led to the termination of this Minuteman III test. At least one observer on the ground did capture an image showing what looked to be an unusual upswing in the trajectory of the missile after it was launched last night, as well as other potentially salient details. This could all be related to the anomaly the missile experienced or its subsequent termination.
Schneemann