The US Air Force on Tuesday tested an unarmed long-range missile that could carry a nuclear weapon.. It is reported by CNN.

An unarmed Minuteman III ICBM equipped with a test missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and flew 4,200 miles (6,759 km) to a test site near the Marshall Islands.

Launched at 12. 49 a.m. Pacific Time, the missile was intended to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces and provide confidence in the effectiveness of the country's nuclear deterrent.

“This test launch is part of a effort to demonstrate that the United States nuclear deterrent is safe, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring our allies.. Such tests have been conducted more than 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events,” the statement said..

The launch was initially scheduled for August 4, but was delayed due to concerns about China's reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan..

The US regularly tests its intercontinental weapons system to test its accuracy and reliability..

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He added that the test is an excellent platform to showcase the skills and experience of strategic weapons personnel and missile crews..

Minuteman III - the only ground part of the US nuclear triad. The remaining two parts of the triad are ballistic missiles from Trident submarines and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers..