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US Launch of Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Fails, Cause Under Investigation

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – A test launch of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile Minuteman III failed and the cause is unknown and being investigated, the US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) said on Wednesday.
Sputnik

"An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, experienced a ground abort prior to launch. The cause of the ground abort is currently under investigation, and Air Force Global Strike Command is assessing the potential to reschedule the launch", AFGSC said in a press release.

US Launch of Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Fails, Cause Under Investigation

The three-stage land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles of the Minuteman family were originally intended for nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. Today, the LGM-30G Minuteman III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States.

It is capable of hitting targets within a radius of about 8,100 miles.

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