Ask HN: Did you know the US launched a test nuclear missile two days ago? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Did you know the US launched a test nuclear missile two days ago?

I don't know if what I'm seeing is a joke, or if the mass media just forgot to report it, or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, etc.

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Happens quite frequently if you know where to look. They’re called “footshots” and are typically done from Vandenberg AFB into small remote islands to test internal components and electrical equipment of Reentry Vehicle style warheads. No physics/nuclear payload obviously.

Yep, when the sky was just right the sun would hit the trails, looked pretty impressive.

I've been around a long time and I don't know when anyone ever paid any attention to these tests. The only reason I do is that I was on a missile equipped submarine.

Mass media only likes to cover stories that advance the “orange man bad” narrative.

Anything to distract Americans from the real problems that face the nation

https://www.dw.com/en/us-announces-intercontinental-ballisti...

There’s nothing really special to read into this given their regularity over the last few decades. You can see past ones listed on the Vandenberg AFB web site every year or two. It was more interesting that they delayed one due to the tensions with China a month or so ago, likely to avoid sending the wrong message.

"The aim is to "demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces.""

These tests are performed routinely. I can't find the reference but i believe it's every two weeks or so.

Here’s the full list of Minuteman test launches: https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/Minuteman.html

Message to a certain someone perhaps?

My previous account got banned because I expressed being against Russia's aggression. Just saying.

We don't ban accounts for reasons like that.

Please see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32816146.

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