The United States tested a hypersonic nuclear missile on the day of the presidential election results

The United States tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with multiple reentrant warheads on the day Donald Trump won the presidential election.

The test was conducted aboard the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) at 11:01 pm PT from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

The ICBM’s return vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, according to the U.S. Space Force.

Containment system

“This Minuteman III test The launch demonstrated the readiness, agility and professionalism of Vandenberg, Global Strike Command and the U.S. Navy personnel.” said Colonel Dorian Hatcher, deputy commander of the Delta 30 spacecraft.

“Every test of this deterrent system at Vandenberg highlights the nation’s strong capabilities and highlights the indispensable support our Airmen and Guards provide to national security.”

The test was conducted by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command airmen and Navy aircrew.

LG-35A Sentinel will replace Minuteman III ICBM

Air Force says LG-35A Sentinel will replace Minuteman III ICBM with initial potential in 2029. However, until full capacity is achieved in the mid-2030s, it is necessary to ensure that the Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent.

It is stated that this test is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that United States nuclear weapons deterrent is a safe, secure, reliable and effective means of deterring 21st century threats and reassuring its allies.

Similar tests have previously been carried out more than 300 times.

According to the US Air Force, similar tests have been conducted more than 300 times before, and this test is not a result of current world events.

Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the ALCS system.

“RTS is proud to be the nation’s only long-range surface strike site, providing our strategic partners with a secure environment and test veracity to further advance ICBM modernization efforts,” said Army Lt. Col. Casel Rumfelt, RTS range director.

“This range and testing contributes to America’s technological advantage on the world stage. Our team has years of experience and a level of professionalism that makes the impossible seem easy in a flawless environment. I’m very proud of this incredible team.”

Reagan Proving Ground’s sensors, including high-precision metric and signature radars, as well as optical sensors and telemetry, support research, development, test and evaluation of U.S. defense and space programs. During these tests, RTS team members collect radar, optical and telemetry data during the final phase of flight to evaluate system performance, Air Force officials said.

The test was taken on the day Trump won the race for the White House after losing in the polls four years ago. The elected 47th President of the United States defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Trump returned with the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.