The U.S. Space Force was scheduled to launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental missile on election night. This was a test of America's nuclear deterrence strategy amid rising tensions with the Middle East and Russia.
Air Force Global Strike Command said the test was designed to “demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent.”
The command said such launches are typically scheduled for early November, and last year's exercise took place on November 1, so the timing of the test on Election Day was simply a coincidence.
“The election had nothing to do with the schedule.” The agency told local California media outlet Lompoc Record.
The test was scheduled to begin shortly after 11 p.m. Pacific Time and was scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, officials said.
The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) serves as America's ground-based nuclear weapon. According to the Air Force, there are approximately 400 missiles available in the United States.
According to standard protocol, the Hague Code of Conduct, the international body that oversees the use of ballistic missiles, and Russia were notified in advance.
The test comes just a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked Cold War fears by ordering a massive nuclear drill simulating the use of Russia's own ballistic missiles.
Despite the show of force, Putin insists his country's nuclear weapons will only be deployed under “very exceptional measures” and that Russia has no interest in starting a “new arms race” did.
But Putin also warned the United States and NATO that Russia would use nuclear force if it was directly attacked by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear state. This is a clear threat to the United States and other allies that Ukraine has invaded. In 2023, we are still at war.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the Iranian government warned of a new barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel in retaliation for the Jewish state's October 26 counterattack.
Iran has carried out two attacks against Israel this year, and Iranian officials have touted the use of more powerful warheads in an impending attack.
