Test missile launched from California coast
The US air force has successfully launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile from California, the fourth such test this year.
The 30th Space Wing said the Minuteman 3 missile launched at 2.10am local time from Vandenberg air force base, about 209 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles.
An air force statement said the test would show the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system.
Minuteman missiles are regularly tested with launches from Vandenberg that send unarmed re-entry vehicles 6,800km across the Pacific to a target area at Kwajalein Atoll.
However, the latest US launches come amid tensions with North Korea as it develops its own ICBMs.
Flight data on North Korea's most recent test, conducted on Friday, showed that a broad part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons, according to analysts.
In response, the US air force flew two B-1 bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force.
The US also said it conducted a successful test of a missile defence system located in Alaska.
Previous Minuteman ICBM launches this year were conducted in February, April and May.
That month, the air force also conducted a test of a missile interceptor launched from Vandenberg.
The interceptor destroyed a mock warhead over the Pacific.
AP
