Firing a Ballistic Missile in Pacific Ocean

U.S. Air Force successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Minuteman-3 from a base in California. SM-3 missile that was launched was not equipped with explosives and directed to the target in the Pacific Ocean. ICBM was launched from Vandenber Airbase on Sunday (23/8/2009) at 9:01 AM local time, said Sgt Benjamin Rojek from the U.S. Air Force.

According to Benjamin, SM-3 missile is touching the target near Kwajalein coral islands in the Marshall Islands, which is about 6758 kilometers from the initial location of a missile launch. Launching an ICBM was carried out as an operational test to check the accuracy and reliability of U.S. weapons systems. ICBM test data is then used for the analysis by policy planners Strategic Command and the U.S. Department of Energy Lab. Firing a ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean is a test of the technology development has been done by the U.S. missile weapons experts.