At the height of tensions over Ukraine, the US tests the “Minuteman III” nuclear missile

The US Air Force has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, called the Minuteman III, which was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California.

The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Santa Barbara County base around 1 a.m. Wednesday. Its launch was a demonstration of the readiness of the US nuclear arsenal.

The goal is to "demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the effectiveness of deterring nuclear attacks on the country," an Air Force Command statement said.

The Minuteman is a powerful weapon, capable of carrying three nuclear warheads that can reach targets more than 6,000 miles away, according to the Air Force.

If launched from Vandenberg base, it could strike as far as the North Pole, south to the closest point of Antarctica, west to the Philippines, and east to Spain.

The Minuteman can travel up to 15,000 mph - about 25 times faster than a typical passenger jet and almost 70 times faster than the fastest Ferrari. It is 18.25 meters long and weighs about 40 tons.

The U.S. Air Force has 400 Minuteman III missiles in service at bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. These missiles have been a mainstay of America's nuclear weapons force since the 1970s, and much of the system's basic infrastructure still uses the original equipment.

Starting in 2029, the Air Force intends to gradually begin replacing the Minuteman III with a modernized arsenal of LG-35A Sentinel missiles.

Until the full capability of the Sentinel missiles is achieved in the mid-2030s, the Air Force says it is committed to ensuring that the Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent. (A2 Televizion)