VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) -- The U.S. Air Force says an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched from California in a test of the defense system.
The missile blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 11:49 p.m. Tuesday and arced over the Pacific Ocean.
The missile delivered a test re-entry vehicle to a range near the Kwajalein Atoll after a flight of about 4,200 miles.
The Air Force Global Strike Command says the launch program is intended to verify the safety, security, effectiveness, and readiness of the weapon system.
