The US destroyed the Minuteman III missile due to an “anomaly” during testing

The United States destroyed the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile due to an “anomaly” during a test launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. About it it says in a statement from Air Force Global Strike Command.

The missile test over the Pacific Ocean was stopped on November 1 at 12:06 pm Pacific time (22:06 Moscow time).

The US Air Force explained that an anomaly is considered “any unexpected event during a test.” The statement did not specify what exactly happened to the missile. It is noted that a group will be formed to investigate the cause, which will include representatives of relevant departments, including the US Air Force.

The US military regularly tests the Minuteman III missile. The previous training launch took place on September 6. At the Pentagon clarifiedthat warned Russia about the tests. They explained that the purpose of the launch is “to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces, as well as national nuclear deterrent forces.”

The Minuteman III missile (translated from English as “militiaman”) was developed by Boeing and entered into service in 1970. The maximum firing range is 15,000 km. The length of the missile with its warhead exceeds 18 m. It can carry from one to three warheads with a capacity of 0.3-0.6 Mt.