US Test Fires Two Unarmed Minuteman III Nuclear ICBMs
This week, the US test-fired two unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which are designed to carry nuclear warheads and are part of the US nuclear triad.
The tests come amid soaring tensions between the US and Russia over the proxy war in Ukraine. The US Air Force insisted the two tests had nothing to do with “current world events,” although the US has previously canceled ICBM tests due to tensions with Russia.
According to Defense News, the tests were conducted on June 4 and June 6.
The ICBMs were launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and both the Air Force and Space Force were involved in the tests.
The ICBM launches came a few weeks after Russia conducted drills simulating the use of strategic nuclear weapons, which came in direct response to provocative rhetoric from Western officials. Russia pointed specifically to talk about NATO sending troops to Ukraine.
Source: Antiwar.com
