Unarmed Minuteman 3 missile from North Dakota launched in California on 4,200-mile te

[MNeagle]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - An unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile has been launched from California on a 4,200-mile test run to a Pacific Ocean atoll.

The 30th Space Wing says the missile blasted out of an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base at about 6:37 a.m. Wednesday. There are no other details until the mission is complete.

The missile is expected to travel some 4,200 miles and its lone re-entry vehicle is supposed to hit a target in the Kwajalein Atoll (KWAH'-juh-len A'-tawl) in the Pacific's Marshall Islands chain. It's about a half-hour flight.

The military says the weapon was pulled from its silo near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., for the test.

Vandenberg regularly tests ICBMs to collect data on the weapons' accuracy and reliability.

http://www.startribune.com/nation/124347929.html

[mamboni]

"We're defaulting on our debt [to you]. Any questions?">:D

[cortez]

right. but what about all the chineese troops in mexico? too close for icbm's

[madfranks]

The missile is expected to travel some 4,200 miles and its lone re-entry vehicle is supposed to hit a target in the Kwajalein Atoll (KWAH'-juh-len A'-tawl) in the Pacific's Marshall Islands chain. It's about a half-hour flight.

So 4200 miles in a half hour? So the missile averages a speed of 8400 miles per hour? That's pretty damn fast!

[undgrd]

So 4200 miles in a half hour? So the missile averages a speed of 8400 miles per hour? That's pretty damn fast!

If you fire it into space and let the planet rotate below it, it does. Same reason I can get to Australia in 3 hours if I'm fired straight into space.

Don't forget about the lack of air resistance in space either.

[steyr_m]

I think they're letting China know that their aging ICBM fleet is still viable and serviceable. It's a show of strength [even though the Empire is collapsing]

[osoab]

I think they're letting China know that their aging ICBM fleet is still viable and serviceable. It's a show of strength [even though the Empire is collapsing]

And, China's knocking on our door with that missle launch wasn't a show of force?

[Dogman]

So 4200 miles in a half hour? So the missile averages a speed of 8400 miles per hour? That's pretty damn fast!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aHpqqhaHJ0&feature=player_embedded#at=66

[osoab]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcW_Ygs6hm0

[Dogman]

That movie was a hoot!