By Margaret DeMarco, MTN News Great Falls
GREAT FALLS – A team from Malmstrom Air Force Base successfully tested an unarmed Minuteman III missile early Friday morning in California. This is the second missile Malmstrom has tested in less than a week at Vandenberg Air Force Base.Air Force Global Strike Command airmen launched the intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle.
The purpose of the test launches is to verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system. Officials say that it also provides valuable data to ensure a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent.
The Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command will use the data collected from the launch for continuing force development evaluation.
http://www.kpax.com/story/28633512/malmstrom-afb-crew-launches-unarmed-minuteman-iii-missile-in-ca