The US military had to detonate a hypersonic weapon seconds after
lift-off Monday due to a technical problem, cutting short a flight test
for the experimental project, officials said.
"Less than four seconds into the lift-off phase, we terminated the flight," Pentagon spokeswoman Maureen Schumann told AFP.
The decision to abort the flight test in Alaska was due to a technological "anomaly," she said, without providing more details.
The launch of the "Advanced Hypersonic Weapon" occurred after 4 am local
time at the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska, Pentagon officials said. The weapon is part of the Pentagon's "prompt global strike" program
designed to build conventional weapons that could take out targets
anywhere on the planet within an hour's notice.
"Due to an anomaly, the test was terminated near the launch pad shortly
after lift-off to ensure public safety," the Pentagon said in a
statement. There were no injuries in the incident, it said, adding that officials
are conducting an "extensive investigation" to determine what went
wrong.
A previous flight test for the weapon was carried out in November 2011.
spacedaily.com, 25/8/2014
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