US military tests nuclear-capable long-range missile

The United States Air Force has tested an unarmed nuclear-capable long-range missile after it had been put back to avoid raising tensions with China.

The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, equipped with a test reentry vehicle, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and travelled 6700km to a test range near the Marshall Islands.

The missile, launched on Tuesday, was "to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent," a statement from the Air Force said.

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"This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies. Such tests have occurred more than 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events," the statement continued.

The launch was originally scheduled for August 4, according to Steven Wilson, a US Air Force spokesman, but it was delayed over concerns about China's response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan, CNN confirmed. A US official said at the time that it was a "prudent step."

The US regularly tests its intercontinental weapon system to verify its accuracy and reliability.

"Make no mistake - our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and of our allies around the globe," Colonel Chris Cruise, 576th Flight Test Squadron Commander, said in a statement.

"This scheduled test launch is demonstrative of how our nation's ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) fleet illustrates our readiness and reliability of the weapon system.

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"It is also a great platform to show the skill sets and expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland."

The Minuteman III is traditionally known as the only land-based leg to the US nuclear triad. The other two parts of the triad are the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.