The United States launched a second long range ballistic missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in a period of seven days. The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flew over 4000 miles before it came down near the Marshall Islands which is located in the central Pacific Ocean region between Hawaii and the Philippines Islands.

The Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by a team in Montana shortly after 3 a.m. ET, the Air Force said in a statement. Officials said the launch was planned years in advance and was not related to North Korea’s new threats.

“The tests are scheduled 3-5 years in advance, and it can take up to a year to plan and prepare for each launch,” Linda Frost, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson, told Fox News. “…GT 222, held this morning, had already been scheduled. The command typically schedules four launches a year.” – Fox Ten

The missile delivered a single re-entry vehicle to a pre-determined target at Kwajalein Atoll. The United States is reported to have about 450 of these missiles and they have a range of about 8000 miles.

Featured image of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile being launched on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California by 2nd Lt. William, US Air Force 

 

This article is courtesy of Fighter Sweep.