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☆ North Korea is hoping bigger is better with its new intercontinental ballistic missile. Experts are skeptical.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

North Korea said it tested a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile this week. Related storiesPrior to this latest test, North Korea had last launched an ICBM test in December 2023, according to the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies North Korea Missile Test Database. AdvertisementHowell said the latest test's reportedly longer flight time would suggest North Korea was "improving the sophistication of its delivery systems." "Through Moscow's assistance, North Korea has advanced its artillery and missile capabilities," Zelenskyy wrote. It comes as the US and South Korea held joint drone strike drills for the first time, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.

Persons: —, KCNA, Kim Jong Un, Read, kA8m36NARX, Kim Jong, Virginie Grzelczyk, Grzelczyk, Edward Howell, James Martin, Howell, Lee Sangmin, Sangmin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, NK News, Korea, NK NEWS, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, Aston University, Korea Foundation, Chatham, Pacific Program, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies North Korea Missile Test, South Korea's Korea Institute for Defense Locations: Korea, Japan, Korean, North Korea, Chatham House's Asia, South, Ukraine's, South Korea

☆ Iran's attacks on Israel suggest ballistic missiles are an overhyped threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But after launching hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in two separate barrages, what has Iran to show for it? The October strike by 180 ballistic missiles saw a higher percentage of rockets penetrate defenses. All of which raises a question: is the danger of ballistic missiles overhyped? In 2015, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen began a bombardment campaign against Saudi Arabia that included ballistic missiles. Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty ImagesIt is not that conventional ballistic missiles aren't lethal, especially the modern versions.

Persons: —, Hitler, Ilia Yefimovich, doesn't, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Israeli Air Force, Soviet Union, British, Fortress, Getty, Minuteman, Soviet, Patriot, Aegis, Allied, South, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Iran, Britain, Jordan, Nazi Germany, Western Europe, British Lancaster, Iraq, Iranian, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, America, Russia, Nodong, Tehran, Europe, Berlin, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Lebanon, Gaza, Forbes

This article is part of the Opinion series At the Brink,about the threat of nuclear weapons in an unstable world. It follows a decades-long freeze on designing, building or testing new nuclear weapons. The new buildings and cutting-edge machinery will eventually process the uranium needed to make the next generation of American nuclear weapons. Now there are an estimated 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world. It is undeniably true that the world is becoming more contentious, and nuclear weapons do deter our adversaries.

Persons: Melissa Durkee’s, Adalie, —, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base Lockheed Martin Tinker, Todd Weeks, Weeks, you’re, Eric Helms, Helms, it’s, ”, aren’t, Robin Darnall, she’s, “, can’t, Northrop Grumman, Nunn, Walter Schweitzer, Mr, Schweitzer, Robert Oppenheimer, didn’t, Jay Coghlan, Charles McMillan, Greg Mello Organizations: U.S, Preston Veterans ’ Memorial, Dynamics, U.S . Navy, Preston Veterans ’, The Times Naval Base Kitsap Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Northrop Grumman Nevada National Security, Air Force Base Malmstrom Air Force Base Sandia National Laboratories Los Alamos National Laboratory, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base Lockheed Martin Tinker Air Force Base Offutt Air Force Base Kansas City National Security, Chaffee, Air Force Base Whiteman Air Force Base, Security, Laboratory Naval Submarine Base, Bay Northrop, Newport News Shipbuilding General Dynamics Electric, Submarines, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island Virginia General Dynamics Electric, General Dynamics, Columbia, Engineering, Republican, Democratic, Office, General Dynamics Electric, Navy, NASCAR, Manhattan, Reactor, The Energy Department, National Nuclear Security Administration, Energy Department, National Nuclear Security, Fort, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota Colorado Nebraska Montana America’s, The Air Force, Minuteman III, Air Force, Warren Air Force Base, Sentinel, Banner, Soviets, Air Force Base, McCurdy, Pentagon, Montana Farmers Union, Mexico South, Environmental Protection Agency, Los Alamos, Nuclear Watch, Alamos County, Atomic, Los Alamos Study, United States Locations: Preston, Conn, New England, America, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, United States, Savannah, Manhattan, Washington, Submarines Connecticut, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island Virginia, Narragansett, Rhode Island, Quonset, R.I, Groton, Soviet Union, Rhode Island , Connecticut, Virginia, Columbia, Tennessee, Oak Ridge, Tenn, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Texas, Fort Knox, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota Colorado, —, Wyoming , Nebraska , Colorado , Montana, North Dakota, Plains, F.E, Wyoming, Nebraska, Banner County, Great Falls, Mont, Mexico, Mexico South Carolina, New Mexico, Los Alamos, N.M, Savannah River, S.C, Colorado, Rocky, Alamos, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Santa Fe

☆ Why China would want to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile out into the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

China test-fired an ICBM this week, launching it into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in over 40 years. Though it was anything but, China's Ministry of Defense said the test launch was "routine." China's intercontinental ballistic missile test on Wednesday was its first in the Pacific in over 40 years. China's ICBM test comes less than a week before the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Xinhua/Lin Yiguang via Getty ImagesThe publicly announced ICBM launch comes as PLARF expands its nuclear arsenal and builds up its missile capabilities.

Persons: —, could've, Xu, Decker Eveleth, Tianran, Eveleth, Lin Yiguang, PLARF, Captain Ryan DeBooy Organizations: Service, Army's, Force, China's Ministry of Defense, China People's Liberation Army News, Communication Center, Open Nuclear Network, Business, Center for Naval, Getty, Department of Defense, Pentagon, US, Chinese Foreign Ministry Locations: China, Hainan, South, Pacific, Communication Center China, People's Republic of China, Xinhua, Japan, Guam, Russia, Philippines, Taiwan, Beijing, Taiwan Strait

☆ The US Air Force's potential shift to adaptable 'light fighters' to solve budget woes is more complicated than it seems
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Alex Hollings | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +32 min

US Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. The Air Force needs new missiles, new bombers, and new fighters — but is struggling to pay for them allThe B-21 Raider in flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Cultural inertia in the fighter businessUS Air Force fighter aircraft fly in formation. A rendering of a future crewed next-generation air dominance aircraft by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. Nonetheless, for a cash-strapped Air Force, this would be a significant challenge.

Persons: David Allvin, Parth Satam, Allvin, Madeline Herzog, that's, it's, Will Roper, I'm, Charles, CQ, Brown, Preston Cherry, America's, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Marine Corps Lockheed Martin, Peter Nicholls, —, Danielle Purnell, Frank Kendall, Tom Williams, Will Roper's, Kendall —, I've, Kendall, there's, Northrop Grumman's, Roper, Giancarlo Casem, today's, they've, wouldn't, John Raven, James M, Holmes, we've Organizations: Service, senior Air Force, Air Force, Global Air, Space Chiefs, Conference, UK's, Space Power Association, Business, Fighter, US Air Force, Force, American, Next, Sabre, Convair, Delta Dart, Rand Corporation, National Museum of, Staff, Joint Chiefs, Raptors, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Senior, Boeing, Lockheed, US, Marine Corps Lockheed, Royal International Air, Reuters, Getty, Capitol, Raider, Air, Edwards Air Force Base, DARPA, USAF, III, America, Minuteman, Sentinel missile, Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Sentinel, Defense, Tech, Combat Command, US Air Force Research Laboratory, Sandboxx Locations: London, American, Fairford, Britain, Fort Worth, California, United States, Soviet Union, Marietta , Georgia, America, Europe

☆ An inside look at America’s aging ballistic missile arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Underneath the blast door stands one of the most powerful weapons in the US inventory, a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. But unlike the other two parts of the triad – strategic bombers and ballistic missile submarines – the ICBM launch facilities are fixed positions. Last year, the commander of US Strategic Command told Congress that China has more land-based ballistic missile launchers than the US. Russia has been carrying out military exercises involving its tactical nuclear weapons, as President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine. That complexity, Schlabach argued, drives the need for modernizing the ballistic missile fleet.

Persons: ”, James Schlabach, Evelyn McCoy, Joseph Cambio, Nunn, McCurdy, William LaPlante, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Antony Blinken, Schlabach, ” Schlabach Organizations: North Dakota CNN, Minuteman III, Minot Air Force Base, Minuteman, Air Force, 91st Missile, CNN, ”, Cuban Missile Crisis, The Air Force, Sentinel missile, Defense, Sentinel, Strategic Command, Congress, Soviet Union Locations: Minot, North Dakota, Dakota, it’s, Russia, China, Ukraine, Pyongyang

☆ The US just carried out back-to-back ICBM launches, keeping the Minuteman III sharp until a new missile comes online
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US conducted two intercontinental ballistic missile tests this week. The missiles were unarmed and not in reaction to current world events, the Air Force said. The Minuteman III missiles are slated to be replaced in the 2030s. AdvertisementThe US conducted back-to-back intercontinental ballistic missile tests this week to ensure the silo-based leg of the US nuclear triad is working as it should. The tests of the Minuteman III demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the weapon, Air Force Global Strike Command said, as work on the next ICBM continues amid budget issues and delays.

Persons: —, AFGSC Organizations: US, Air Force, Minuteman, Service, Air Force Global Strike Command, Vandenberg Space Force, Space Force Guardians, Business Locations: California

☆ India joins select group of nations able to fire multiple warheads on a single ICBM
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Brad Lendon | Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Delhi CNN —India said Monday it had joined the world’s top nuclear powers by mastering the ability to put multiple warheads atop a single intercontinental ballistic missile. The successful test of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology on the indigenously developed Agni-V ICBM puts India in a club that includes the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. Neighboring Pakistan has also claimed to have MIRV technology, but experts say the claim is unverified. “Various Telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. India did not give an exact number of reentry vehicles released during the Agni-V test, but MIRVed missiles can carry a dozen or possibly more MIRV warheads.

Persons: Narendra Modi, “, ” Modi, X, Rajnath Singh, ”, Amit Shah Organizations: Delhi CNN, DRDO, Defence Research, Development Organisation, Mission, Defense Ministry, Indian Defense, ., Center for Arms Control, Center for Strategic, International Studies Missile Defense, United States, Minuteman, National Museum of, US Air Force, US, Union of Concerned, US Defense Locations: Delhi, India, United States, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom, Neighboring Pakistan, Bay, Bengal, Bharat, Pakistan, Beijing

☆ The Doomsday Clock Keeps Ticking
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Dennis Overbye | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In Seattle, where I grew up in the 1950s and ’60s, it was common wisdom that in the event of nuclear war, we were No. 2 on the target list because Seattle was the home of Boeing, maker of B-52 bombers and Minuteman missiles. In school we had various drills for various catastrophes, and we had to remember which was which. “The 40-year-long East-West nuclear arms race has ended.”A year ago, after Russia invaded Ukraine and brandished the threat of using nuclear weapons, the clock was set to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has yet come to The End. The threat of nuclear weapons in Ukraine has diminished since then, but the clock remains poised at 90 seconds before zero.

Persons: “, ” Organizations: Seattle, Boeing, Minuteman, Atomic Scientists Locations: Seattle, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine

☆ North Korea media urges stronger nuclear force after U.S. missile test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A North Korean military commentator said despite the failure of the test, the presence of South Korean "puppet military gangsters" showed that U.S. nuclear weapons were targeted at North Korea. The commentary also criticised the U.S. and South Korea for various recent military steps including the deployment of U.S. nuclear strategic bombers to South Korea. The U.S. and South Korea also held air exercises involving 130 warplanes from both countries to simulate 24-hour wartime operations last month. South Korea and the United States say their exercises are aimed at maintaining combat readiness to respond to North Korea. North Korea denounces the exercises as preparations by the United States and its South Korean ally to invade it.

Persons: Kim, Hyunsu Yim, Hyonhee Shin, Robert Birsel Organizations: Minuteman, Daylight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S, U.S . Air Force, South, North, Democratic People's, DPRK, Korea's Unification Ministry, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Korean, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Korea, North, Korea, Japan

☆ North Korea Protests to US Over Minuteman III Missile Test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Hyunsu YimSEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea vowed to continue military action while criticizing the United States over a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, state media KCNA said on Friday. A South Korean delegation visited the base and observed the ICBM launch in the first such a visit since 2016, according to the country's defence ministry. The article also criticized military moves by the U.S. and South Korea including the deployment of what it described as U.S. nuclear strategic bombers in South Korea. The U.S. and South Korea also held major air exercises involving 130 warplanes from both countries to simulate 24-hour wartime operations last month. North Korea has routinely denounced joint military exercises by Seoul and Washington as rehearsals for war.

Persons: Hyunsu Yim, KCNA Organizations: Democratic People's, Vandenberg Space Force, U.S . Air Force, U.S Locations: Hyunsu Yim SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, California, Korean, South Korea, Japan, U.S, Seoul, Washington, Korea

☆ U.S. Air Force blows up Minuteman III in test flight after post-launch anomaly
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test May 3, 2017, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The U.S. Air Force said on Wednesday it had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Air Force did not elaborate but said it was forming a launch analysis group to investigate. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing , is key to the U.S. military's strategic arsenal. About 400 of the missiles are located at Air Force bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.

Persons: Lauren Linscott Organizations: U.S . Air Force Minuteman III, Vandenberg Air Force Base, The U.S . Air Force, III, Vandenberg Space Force, The Air Force, Air Force Global, Command, Boeing, Air Force Locations: U.S, Calif, The, California, Wyoming , Montana, North Dakota

☆ US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation. The report contrasts with U.S. President Joe Biden's position that the current U.S. nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter the combined forces of Russia and China. "The United States and its allies must be ready to deter and defeat both adversaries simultaneously," the Strategic Posture Commission said. It should also extend the operational lives of ballistic missile submarines and deploy more tactical nuclear weapons in Asia and Europe.

Persons: Ian Dudley, Madelyn, Jon Kyl, Joe Biden's, Jonathan Landay, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Minuteman, Daylight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, . Air Force, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Handout, United States, Russia, China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russian, Asia, Europe

☆ A hedge-fund manager who's up 50% this year almost entirely without help from the 'Magnificent 7' shares 3 stocks he's betting on for continued outperformance — and his leverage strategy for amplifyin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He said he's liked management's capital allocation as it's continued to grow through acquisitions, and that the firm has fundamental tailwinds. Leverage and risk managementLike hedge funds do, Tomicki relies on leverage, or borrowed money that he then invests, to amplify his returns. He said for every $1 of investor capital he receives, he's long by $3 per stock, meaning returns are multiplied by three. To further lessen his overall portfolio risk, Tomicki said he runs the 200-plus stocks that satisfy his three selection criteria through a quantitative model. However, Goldman Sachs strategists recently said the seven stocks look cheap and could continue to surge.

Persons: that's, Lukasz, Northrop, Tomicki, RLI, there's, Northrop Grumman, Northrup, they've, he's, Russell, outperformance, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia —, Northrop Grumman, EMCOR, Air Force, Intercontinental, Missiles Locations: Williams, Sonoma, America

☆ US Air Force tests nuclear-capable long-range missile
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Michael Callahan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US Air Force on Wednesday tested an unarmed nuclear-capable long-range missile, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command. The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, equipped with three test reentry vehicles, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and traveled 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 1:26 a.m. PT. The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the safety, security, effectiveness, and readiness of the weapon system, according to Air Force Global Strike Command. The other two parts of the triad are the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.

Persons: Kadielle, ”, Chris Cruise, Pat Ryder Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command, Minuteman, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Kadielle Shaw, . Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, Pentagon, Trident Locations: California, Marshall, Calif, Russia, United States, Hague, ” Brig

☆ US Air Force finds unsafe levels of possible cancer-causing chemicals in nuclear missile launch control centers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US Air Force said it found unsafe levels of possible cancer-causing chemicals at a Montana base. It found the chemicals in nuclear missile launch control centers at Malmstrom Air Force Base. A team of experts that carried out testing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in June discovered levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that were above federally recommended thresholds in two facilities at the site, Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement on Monday. "Of the swipes, 279 returned non-detectable results," the Air Force said. None of the air samples of the launch control centers and launch control support building revealed any detectable levels for PCBs.

Persons: Thomas Bussiere, Jackson Ligon, Jonathan Marinaccio, Daniel Brosam, F.E, — Organizations: US Air Force, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Service, Air Force Global Strike Command, Environmental Protection Agency, Air Force, Twentieth Air Force, Guardians, U.S . Air Force, 341st Missile, Air Force Base, AP, The Air Force, III Locations: Montana, Wall, Silicon, Great Falls, Mont, Wyoming, North Dakota, Warren, Minot, Malmstrom

☆ Rare photo captures the moment the keys were turned on a US military 'doomsday' plane to launch an ICBM
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US military test-launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile last week. Newly released Air Force photos show the moment an airman turned the keys to initiate the launch. The launch was executed aboard a so-called 'doomsday' plane, and a newly released photo captures the moment an airman turned the keys to initiate the launch. US NavyUS Strategic Command said last week's launch is "part of routine and periodic activities" to ensure that Washington's nuclear capabilities are stable. Several times a year, an ICBM will be pulled from one of the Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings for an Operational Test Launch at Vandenberg.

☆ North Korea's next nuke test a matter of 'when,' not 'if,' US Army general says, warning its on the way to a key nuclear capability
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A top US Army general warned that North Korea is on its way to developing a key nuclear capability. Gen. Paul LaCamera also said this week that Pyongyang's next nuclear test is only a matter of time. LaCamera also said North Korea is slated to carry out a seventh nuclear test at some point in the future. North Korea conducted six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017, and each underground test produced explosive yields progressively larger than the one before it. Ju Ae has become a regular figure at North Korea's military-oriented events in recent months after spending years cloaked in mystery.

☆ The F-22 that took down China's surveillance balloon used the call sign 'FRANK01' in an apparent homage to a heroic pilot from WWI
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

On Saturday, F-22 pilots shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon floating near South Carolina. The pilots went by the callsigns "FRANK01" and "FRANK02," an apparent homage to a WWI hero. "Frank Luke Jr. was an American fighter ace in World War I better known as the 'Arizona Balloon Buster.' Luke's achievement in battle was unsurpassed by any other pilot in the war, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. A second Chinese surveillance balloon has been spotted floating over Latin America.

☆ A second 'Chinese surveillance balloon' has been spotted over Latin America, according to Pentagon officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Pentagon officials on Thursday identified the balloon as a "Chinese surveillance" device. On Friday, a second surveillance balloon was identified flying above Latin America. "We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon," AP reported Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said. Ryder declined to give additional details, such as where the second balloon was spotted. US Pentagon officials have declared the balloons surveillance devices.

☆ A suspected Chinese spy balloon was seen operating near a US nuclear base housing 150 Minuteman ICBMs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US is tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon, which has been hovering over Montana. Montana Senator Steve Daines said he feared it was targeting the state's nuclear missile base. Montana is home to the sprawling Malmstrom Air Force Base, which stores nuclear weapons. Malmstrom Air Force Base is one of three such bases in the US to contain Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, a strategic nuclear weapon. Malmstrom maintains 150 intercontinental ballistic missile silos across its 13,800-square-mile complex, according to The Telegraph.

☆ China admits the 'spy balloon' over the US belongs to it, but insists it wasn't for spying and ended up there by accident
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US is tracking what it termed a Chinese spy balloon, which has been hovering over Montana. On Friday, China confirmed the balloon belonged to it but said it was not being used for spying. In an official statement, China's foreign ministry said the balloon is a civilian airship used mainly for "meteorological research." "Clearly, the intent of the balloon is first surveillance, and so the current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites," the official said. This has alarmed some officials, including Montana Senator Steve Daines, who said the fact the balloon was occupying Montana airspace "creates significant concern."

☆ US scrambles F-22s following reports of unidentified flying object over Montana believed to be a Chinese spy balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Charles R. Davis | Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US is tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon first spotted over Montana, per NBC News. The balloon has been hovering over the US "for the past few days," NBC reported Thursday. Video published by an NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana, shows a bright, unidentified object in the sky, which prompted flights to be diverted from the local airport on Wednesday. "It is not the first time that you've had a balloon of this nature cross over the continental United States," the official said. After the balloon was spotted, the US military responded by scrambling F-22 Raptors and other aircraft near Billings, prompting the civilian airport to be shuttered for some time.

☆ Boeing gets $1.62 bln contract to provide support for Minuteman III missile
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) has been awarded a $1.62 billion U.S. Air Force contract to provide guidance subsystem support for Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the U.S. Department of Defense said on Thursday. The work under the contract would be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 1, 2039, the statement said. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Unusual blood cancer cases among US troops who manned nuclear missile silos at a base in Montana are raising new questions for the military
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US military officers who worked at a nuclear missile base have developed cancer in recent years. An Air Force spokesperson told Insider that leadership is "aware of the concerns." "Senior leaders are aware of the concerns raised about the possible association of cancer related to missile combat crew members at Malmstrom AFB," Rose Riley, an Air Force spokesperson, told Insider. "The information in the briefing has been shared with the Department of the Air Force Surgeon General and our medical professionals are working to gather data and understand more." A spokesperson at Malmstrom Air Force Base confirmed to Insider that the base is aware of the situation but had no further information on the matter.

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