The US Global Strike Command had successfully tested an unarmed Minuteman-3 long range missile. The launch was from California. It travelled 4,200 miles, and landed in Kwajalein Atoll in Marshall Islands after the re-entry.
Around 2/3 of Marshall islands population are either members of UCC or Assemblies of God.
If one is wondering how fast the new missile is, or if the 4,200 miles is curvilinear or straight distance, or can this missile travel further down the equator, I think 'Chrisss' can explain them better.
I'm also thinking if is just ok for the residents of Marshall Islands, to have their territory used as target landing site of the missile test.
The atoll has been used for missile tests for years and years.
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-military-tests-minuteman-intercontinental-missile
It’s maximum speed is Mach 23 (6200 mph) so the test flight takes around 40 minutes. The Minuteman III has been around for about 50 years and the US government has done around 300 test flights with them.
Marshall Islands used to be a US Territory but negotiated independence around 2000. There are several US military bases on the islands and the US has had agreements with the native residents to do weapons testing for a long time.
I actually met some American teachers who worked on one of the island military bases. It was basically a mini America though the road network around the island was only 3 miles (5km). Though we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, the nations of the world do, including the US. The Lord is sovereign and I can only trust His wisdom to manage these things.
Hi passerby,
If one is wondering how fast the new missile is, or if the 4,200 miles is curvilinear or straight distance, or can this missile travel further down the equator, I think 'Chrisss' can explain them better.
I don't know too much about this missile (if it is new or a new variation of an existing missile). However, the Minutemen III missiles previously had a range of more than 8,000 miles (13,000 km). These are strike distances (i.e., launch versus strike target) and not travel distance. So, it travels further on its trajectory than its striking distance because it can rise 700 miles and then descend to its target.
In fact, the upper distance of the Minutemen III is a bit higher when it travels westward because of the way that the Earth spins on its access. The missile can rise up to an altitude of 700 miles (whereas the Karman line edge for "space" is 62 miles while real "space" is generally regarded as about 73 miles/118 km). Since the earth rotates on its axis at roughly 1000 mph (from the west), the distance is expanded. I'm not sure if the maximum range includes the rotation of the Earth.
Typically, the military tests these missiles for purposes of testing new propulsion systems, the accuracy of new trajectory systems, as a "statement" launch (reminding other nations of military strength) as well as for purposes of diversion (i.e., military operations in the area to "review" the launch but actually there for a different reason).
I don't think that the people living in the area were in real danger. In this day and age, the U.S. military certainly wouldn't want the bad press for a failed test or a fatality.
This weapon is simply awesome, thanks for the info, I guess internal conflicts or bad decisions are the weak points the US will have to guard very seriously.
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