US Air Force blows up Minuteman III missile in test flight after post-launch anomaly
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The Air Force did not elaborate but said it was forming a launch analysis group to investigate.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - The US Air Force said on Wednesday it had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The Air Force did not elaborate, but it said it was forming a launch analysis group to investigate.
“The command learns lessons from every test launch,” Captain Lauren Linscott said. “Gathering data from the launch allows (Air Force Global Strike Command) to identify and correct any issues with the weapon system to ensure the Minuteman III’s continued reliability and accuracy.”
The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing, is key to the US military’s strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of around 9,660km and can travel at about 24,000kmh.
About 400 of the missiles are located at air force bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. REUTERS
