The US military has started conducting its first-ever intercept test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in what appears to be an evaluation of the US ability to counter a growing threat from North Korea.
The Tuesday test involved a simulated attack by an ICBM, firing off an upgraded long-range interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davies claimed earlier in the day that the US intercept test was not timed specifically to the current tensions between Washington and Pyongyang but added that “in a broad sense, North Korea is one of reasons why we have this capability.”
The test comes just days after North Korea launched its ninth ballistic missile so far this year.
“North Korea has expanded the size and the sophistication of its ballistic missile forces,” Davis said. “They continue to conduct test launches, as we saw this weekend, while also using dangerous…