Question: Recently which of the following country tested fired intercontinental ballistic missile Minuteman III?
(a) USA
(b) North Korea
(c) China
(d) France
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- On October 2, 2019; the United States Air Force (USAF) successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named as Minuteman III.
- Fired from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, this was an unarmed missile equipped with reentry vehicle.
- It travelled approximately 4,200 miles (6,750km) across the Pacific Ocean to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Some special features of Minuteman III:
- It was the first US missile fitted with Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).
- It enables it to carry up to three different warheads that can strike independent targets.
- This missile project was started in 1966 and the missile is armed with 170 kilotons of TNT (Trinitrotoluene).
- Airborne Launch Control System is a part of the missile.
- At present the US has as maximum as 440 Minuteman III missile in its arsenal
Links:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/us-test-icbm-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-north-korea-11963404
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-claims-successful-icbm-tests/article29577844.ece