US to launch hypersonic nuclear missile hours after election in show of strength

The US military is set to launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, just hours after the polls close

The US military is prepping for a dramatic showcase of its firepower with the scheduled test launch of a hypersonic nuclear missile.

The display, set to take place in the Presidential Election, will see an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) soar into the skies from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base between 11:01pm and 5:01am PT.

Some Americans have raised eyebrows about the timing of the missile's launch, but military officials have stepped in to calm nerves, saying the "test is routine and was scheduled years in advance."

They've been keen to stress that the display is intended to affirm the "readiness of nuclear US forces" while boosting "confidence in the nation's nuclear deterrence".

This development arises amidst a heightened global tension backdrop, raising concerns about a possible third world war being on the horizon. The ongoing war in Ukraine along with strife in the Middle East has captured international attention as Western and anti-Western powers engage directly or indirectly in the conflicts.

Then there's the matter of Taiwan – the self-declared independent state which China eyes assertively – as speculation mounts over potential American intervention should China initiate an invasion. With all eyes on these geopolitical hotspots, the missile's incredible speed will be showcased when it thunders across the Pacific Ocean skyline after voting concludes, reports the Express.

The weapon will journey 4,200 miles from its US base to Kwajalein Atoll, a minuscule island in the North Pacific. Despite the distance being equivalent to that between London and New Delhi, the trip will take a mere 22 minutes. The weapon can reach blistering speeds of over 15,000mph, implying it could hit any target globally within just 30 minutes of launch.

It comes after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, stirring security concerns in the region already tense over Beijing's territorial claims and rivalry with the US recently.

The ICBM carried a dummy warhead and fell into a designated area of the sea, the Defense Ministry said in a statement posted to social media. The launch by the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and was not directed against any country or target, according to the statement.