US tests hypersonic nuclear missile that can reach Moscow in 30 minutes as WW3 fears rise

The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched off at 12.56am local time on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. According to US officials, the rationale behind the test was to show the “readiness of nuclear US forces” and provide “confidence in the nation’s nuclear deterrence.”

‘”This test launch marks the start of a remarkable week for our Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg, with two test launches scheduled from the Western Range,'” Col. Bryan Titus, the Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander, said.

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The missile is capable of reaching any target, including Russia which is 5,900 miles away from California, and China, which is 6,000 miles away, in just 30 minutes. The demonstration on Tuesday is the first of two tests scheduled for this week, with the next on Thursday.

The ICBM missile is one of two used by the US including the ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that are deployed from underwater submarines. It comes as the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday for its first precision-guided bombing drill with South Korea in seven years.

The U.S. B-1B bomber conducted joint aerial drills with other U.S. and South Korean fighter jets, South Korea’s Defence Ministry said in a statement. It said the B-1B bomber dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions during the training while being escorted by South Korean jets, the first such bombing drill since 2017.

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The drill is seen as a show of force against North Korea amid rising tensions over its recent launches of trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea. North Korea is sensitive to drills of bunker-buster bombs, which could threaten its leadership. A B-1B is capable of carrying a large conventional weapons payload. North Korea has previously called the bomber’s deployment proof of US hostility and responded with missile tests.

In the past week, North Korea floated hundreds of huge balloons containing manure, cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, dead batteries and reportedly dirty diapers across the border into South Korea. In response, South Korea vowed “unbearable” retaliatory steps and suspended a fragile military deal meant to ease tensions with its northern neighbour.