US Air Force Testing ‘Mutant’ Missiles That Can Twist In The Mid-Air To Hit Their Targets

USAF  

Warzone/The Drive: USAF Testing ‘Mutant’ Missiles That Twist In Mid-Air To Hit Their Targets  

The Air Force sees missiles with articulating noses as one way to take on increasingly maneuverable threats.  

The U.S. Air Force is exploring a novel concept for increasing the likelihood of scoring a hit in air-to-air combat. The idea is to use an air-to-air missile with a nose that bends to get at the target before it can get away. The service views this as one path to giving current and future combat aircraft, including a sixth-generation stealth jet being developed under the Next Generation Air Dominance program, a new way to engage increasingly maneuverable threats. 

The Air Force Research Laboratory highlighted what is formally known as the Missile Utility Transformation via Articulated Nose Technology (MUTANT) project at this week's 2023 Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. AFRL says that MUTANT leverages work that has been done over the past six years on related technologies, but notes the core concept takes advantage of related research and experimentation dating back all the way to the 1950s.  

Read more .... 

Update: US Air Force's New MUTANT Missile Can Bend Its Nose! Here's How It Increases Accuracy (Tech Times)  

WNU Editor: It looks like the Pentagon wants the means to engage against increasingly maneuverable threats.

U.S. Reveals Details On President Trump's 'Super Duper' Hypersonic Missile

© Sputnik / Ildus Gilyazutdinov

CNN: Pentagon reveals some details of Trump's 'super duper' hypersonic missile

Defense officials have revealed to CNN details about the hypersonic missile President Donald Trump has long touted as a "super duper" new military weapon -- part of a major effort to catch up to Russian and Chinese hypersonic weapons programs.

Pentagon officials acknowledged for the first time some of the capabilities of the hypersonic missile, which Trump has described as traveling 17 times the speed of sound.

A senior defense official has told CNN that Trump has taken a special interest in the missile, revealing that Trump's oft-cited "17 times" faster figure derives from a test of a "hypersonic glide body" over the Pacific in March, a test that the Pentagon officially described as "successful" while revealing little additional information.

"What he was referring to, really, was the recent flight test that we've performed in March where we flew 17 times the speed of sound," the senior defense official said.

But the American effort still lags years behind those of Moscow and Beijing's already fielded weapons systems, with a US missile unlikely to be fielded until 2023.

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Update: US Reportedly Tested 'Super Duper' Hypersonic Missile That Flew 17X Faster Than Speed of Sound (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: It is going to take some time before such a missile system is deployed .... Trump's Super Duper Missile Unlikely Before 2023 (Defense World).

Is This The Base Where President Trump's Quest For 'Super Duper' Missiles Will Be Tested?

The Aegis ashore missile defense test complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. Photograph: Jon Letman/The Guardian

The Guardian: The Hawaii navy base fueling Trump's quest for 'super duper' missiles

Kauai has one of the Pentagon’s most valued testing sites. It’s an economic driver, but some residents say the military shouldn’t be on the islands at all.

Hawaii’s “garden island”, Kauai, is known for its breathtaking scenery and laid-back vibe, a place of plunging waterfalls and cliffs cloaked in green tropical forests. But beyond its beauty it is one of the Pentagon’s most valued testing and training sites in the Pacific.

In Hawaii, where the military is the second-largest economic driver, after tourism, weapons testing and training enjoy widespread support, but some residents view the islands’ highly militarized state as misguided or even illegal.

In missile defense circles, Kauai is known for its outsized role in weapons testing at the navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands (PMRF), which its commanding officer, Capt Timothy Young, likens to a sports stadium that provides a venue for customers (weapons manufacturers, government agencies and military branches) to train people or test new technology.

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Update: US Military in Hawaii Working on Trump's 'Super-Duper' Missiles, to Host Space Force Soon (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: This base is definitely well located to conduct missile tests.

US Air Force Conducts First Test Of Non-Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile After INF Treaty Exit

Business Insider: The US just shot off another ground-launched cruise missile, the 2nd since a key arms control pact with Russia collapsed

* The US tested a conventionally configured ground-launched cruise missile Thursday morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
* The test saw the missile fly over 500 kilometers and is the second such test since the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty collapsed this summer.
* Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has called the development of intermediate-range weapons a "prudent response" to Russia, as well as a necessary capability given the capabilities of China's missile force.

The US conducted its second flight test of a missile that would have been banned under the restrictions of a now-defunct arms control agreement with Russia, Air Force officials told Insider on Thursday.

The US military tested a prototype conventionally configured ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) Thursday morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

"We are currently evaluating the results of the test," officials told Insider.

Thursday's missile launch marks the second such test since the US formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in August in response to alleged Russian violations of the 1987 agreement.

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More News On The US Air Force Conducts First Test Of Non-Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile After INF Treaty Exit

Pentagon Conducts First Test Of Non-Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Post-INF Treaty (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive
U.S. tests ground-launched ballistic missile after INF treaty exit -- Reuters
US military tests land-based intermediate-range missile from Vandenberg -- FOX News
Watch the Pentagon test a previously banned ballistic missile -- Defense News

U.S. Air Force Tests An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Over The Pacific

FOX News: Air Force test-launches intercontinental ballistic missile in California

The U.S. Air Force said Wednesday it had launched an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The missile lifted off at 1:13 a.m. from the base northwest of Los Angeles and sent a test reentry vehicle on a 4,200-mile flight over the Pacific Ocean to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

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More News On The U.S. Air Force Testing An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Over The Pacific

Air Force test-launches intercontinental ballistic missile -- AP
Air Force Global Strike Command just tested an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific -- Business Insider
Air Force tests intercontinental ballistic missile -- The Hill
US launches ICBM to demonstrate ‘robust & ready’ nuclear deterrent -- RT

U.S. Test Launches The Coyote Missile For First Time From The East Coast

The #Navy conducted the first East Coast launch of the GQM-163A Coyote Supersonic Sea Skimming Target from @NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia Sept. 12 as part of a fleet missile exercise, known as MSLEX https://t.co/wyeUFeLg5v pic.twitter.com/OBF7vsrUR7

— ＮＡＶＡＩＲ (@NAVAIRNews) September 24, 2019

Sputnik: Watch US Launch GQM-163A Coyote Missile For First Time From East Coast

Earlier this month, the US Defence Department announced that the Orbital Sciences Corp (OSC) had been awarded more than $1.1 billion in order to provide the US military with target missiles.

The US Navy has published a video on Twitter showing the test launch of a GQM-163A Coyote missile from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia as part of an exercise.

The military noted that this was the first launch of the missile, which is a supersonic sea-skimming target, from the East Coast.

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WNU Editor: This is a supersonic sea-skimming target.

With The End Of The INF Treaty, The U.S. Can Now Counter Russia's And China's Intermediate Missile Buildup

Sergei Bobylev / TASS

Timothy A. Walton, New York Times: America Could Lose a Real War Against Russia

With Putin and Trump having torn up a Cold War pact that lowered the risk of nuclear war, America should build more conventional missiles to catch up with Russia and China.

After more than 30 years, the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (I.N.F.) Treaty ended last week, with an American withdrawal on Friday and a Russian withdrawal on Saturday. Although the United States abided by the terms of the treaty, Russia violated it by fielding more than 100 banned intermediate-range missiles, and China, which was never bound by it, fielded thousands. The United States has none.

To fix this gap, it is time for the Department of Defense to develop and field conventionally armed, ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles. The I.N.F. was a good treaty that reduced tensions and contributed to the peaceful end of the Cold War. After signing it in 1987, the Soviet Union and the United States eliminated ground-launched missiles with ranges of approximately 310 to 3,417 miles. Those missiles were problematic because, if they were armed with nuclear warheads, they could, given their short flight time, be used for devastating surprise attacks against allies in Europe and against the Soviet Union. The elimination of those missiles provided a greater sense of stability between the Soviet Union and the United States and its allies.

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WNU Editor: We are definitely at the cusp of a new arms race.

U.S. Defense Secretary: Pentagon Wants To Deploy New Missiles In Asia

RFE: U.S. Defense Secretary Wants To Deploy New Missiles In Asia

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says Washington wants to deploy new ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in Asia soon.

Esper’s remarks came a day after the United States and Russia formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a 31-year-old landmark nuclear accord between Washington and Moscow.

No longer bound by the treaty, Esper said he would “like” to “deploy a capability sooner rather than later” in Asia.

Esper, speaking in Australia on August 3, did not specify where the United States intended to deploy these new weapons.

"I would prefer months...but these things tend to take longer than you expect," he told reporters.

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More News On U.S. Defense Secretary Wanting To Deploy New Missiles In Asia

US Defense Secretary Wants INF-range Missiles in Asia -- VOA
U.S. Defense Secretary says he favors placing missiles in Asia -- Reuters
With Cold War pact dead, U.S. looks to place intermediate-range missiles in Asia -- NBC/AP
Pentagon chief says US looking to put intermediate-range missiles in Asia -- The Hill
US wants to quickly deploy new missiles in Asia: Esper -- AFP
US to deploy new missiles in Asia 'sooner rather than later' -- DW
Pentagon chief: US eager to deploy new missiles in Asia -- Al Jazeera
‘Sooner rather than later’: US seeks to deploy mid-range missiles to Asia as it ditches INF Treaty -- RT
US Seeks to Deploy Intermediate-Range Missiles in Asia 'Sooner Rather Than Later' -- Sputnik

U.S. To Accelerate Its Development Of New Cruise And Ballistic Missile Systems After Leaving the INF Treaty

Times of Israel/AFP: US to accelerate missile program after ending weapons pact with Russia

Washington accuses Moscow of ‘sustained and repeated’ violations of nuclear treaty after withdrawing from agreement

WASHINGTON — The United States is set to accelerate its development of new cruise and ballistic missile systems following its withdrawal from a nuclear treaty with Russia, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Accusing Russia of “sustained and repeated violations” of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US had already begun work to develop “mobile, conventional, ground-launched cruise and ballistic missile systems.”

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More News On The U.S. Accelerating Its Development Of New Cruise And Ballistic Missile Systems

US to test new missile as arms treaty with Russia ends -- AP
SECDEF: US has withdrawn from INF, will ‘fully pursue’ development of new missile systems -- Defense News/AP
US to "fully" develop ground-launched missiles after exiting INF treaty: Pentagon chief -- Global Times
US to test ‘two long-banned missiles in four months – including one with 4,000km range’ after scrapping Cold War era treaty -- The SUN
US to develop new missiles as INF treaty expires – Pentagon -- RT
Unrestricted by Nuclear Treaty, Pentagon Chief Threatens Russia With New Weapons -- US News and World Report
U.S. To Test New Missile After Termination Of Reagan-Era INF Treaty With Russia. How will Russia respond? -- Audrey Conklin, National Interest

Boeing Withdraws From Competition To Build A New Land-Based Nuclear Missile

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 2:42 A.M. Pacific Time May 1, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

Defense News: Boeing drops from next-generation ICBM competition

WASHINGTON — Boeing has announced its withdrawal from the $85 billion Ground Based Strategic Deterrent competition, potentially leaving Northrop Grumman as the only contender vying to replace the Air Force’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“After numerous attempts to resolve concerns within the procurement process, Boeing has informed the Air Force that it will not bid Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) under the current acquisition approach,” reads a Boeing statement. “We’ve evaluated these issues extensively, and determined that the current acquisition approach does not provide a level playing field for fair competition.”

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WNU Editor: This is why Boeing dropped out .... Northrop’s strong grip on solid rocket motor market crippled Boeing in ICBM competition (Space News).

More News On Boeing Withdrawing From The Competition To Build A New Land-Based Nuclear Missile

Boeing drops out of nuclear missile development program -- UPI
Boeing drops bid for lucrative Pentagon ICBM contract -- FOX News
Boeing drops out of massive Pentagon nuclear missile program, citing unfair competition -- The Washington Post
Boeing Drops Out of Giant Pentagon Program to Replace Nuclear Missiles -- The Wall Street Journal
Boeing Withdraws from Competition to Build New Land-Based Nuclear Missile -- Military.com
Boeing Withdraws From Pentagon Nuclear Missile Program Over Bidding Process -- Sputnik

US Air Force Test-Fires A Minuteman III Missile From California

Epoch Times: Video: US Air Force Test-Fires Minuteman III Missile from California

The United States test-fired an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on Nov. 6.

“Test launches provide valuable data for U.S. Strategic Command and the U.S. Air Force. A reliable test launch occurs when a test missile launches, completes its flight path within a designated safety corridor, the equipment functions properly, sensor data is collected, and the reentry vehicle impacts where targeted,” Global Strike Command officials told KSBY News.

They added: “Though the reentry vehicle reached its intended target, the test and analysis data is not releasable to the public.”

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Update: Air Force test-launches missile from California base (Air Force Times/AP)

WNU Editor: Another missile test, but what made this one special is that the U.S. Air Force went out of its way to make it public that this test had nothing to do with world events .... U.S. Air Force Says Latest Missile Test 'Not Related to Any Real World Events' (Gizmodo). When you go out of your way to explain something, that usually tells me that the rational that you are discounting is the rational on why you actually did it.

US Air Force Terminated An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test Over The Pacific Ocean Last Week

Test of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM at Vandenberg Air Force Base in CaliforniaUS Air Force/Reuters

Business Insider: The US Air Force just hit self-destruct on a multimillion-dollar missile after a testing 'anomaly' -- here's what might have gone wrong

* The US Air Force terminated an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean during an unsuccessful flight test Tuesday.
* The missile was destroyed because an "anomaly was going to create an unsafe flight condition," according to the head of US Strategic Command.
* The failure was characterized as a "rare thing in the missile business."

The US Air Force was forced to terminate an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday morning in response to an unsafe "anomaly" that emerged during a test, according to Air Force Global Strike Command.

The 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California ordered the destruction of the $7 million ICBM early Tuesday, eliminating it over the Pacific Ocean. Global Strike Command refused to comment as the incident is under investigation.

Air Force Gen. John Hyten, head of US Strategic Command, described the test as "perfect," at least until "somewhere in flight, we saw an anomaly."

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Update #1: Unarmed US missile test flight terminated due to anomaly -- Air Force Times/AP
Update #2: The Air Force destroyed its own ICBM in a missile test -- We Are The Mighty

WNU Editor: That is one expensive anomaly to force someone to press the self-destruct button.

U.S. To Conduct Another ICBM Test From Vandenberg Air Force Base

A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 21, 2015. (Airman 1st Class Ian Dudley/Air Force)

L.A. Times: U.S. to launch yet another test missile from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base

Days after North Korea fired a rocket into the Sea of Japan, the U.S. Air Force is planning to test launch an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The unarmed Minuteman III missile will be launched between 12:01 and 6:01 a.m. from the base, about 12 miles northwest of Lompoc, according to Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing team.

The Air Force Global Strike Command’s missile launch is designed to test the weapon system’s effectiveness, accuracy and readiness, the Air Force said.

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More News On The U.S. Conducting An Unarmed ICBM Launch From Vandenberg Air Force Base This Wednesday

US to test launch unarmed ICBM from California -- Air Force Times
U.S. to Test ICBM as Tensions Rise With North Korea -- NBC
US prepares to test launch unarmed ballistic missile from California -- ABC News
Ballistic Missile Test Launch Set For Wednesday At Vandenberg -- CBS
US to test ICBM following N. Korea's missile launch -- AFP
Show of strength: US to launch intercontinental ballistic missile from California Air Force base just days after North Korea completed another test of its own -- Daily Mail

U.S. Air Force Successfully Launches Second Minuteman III Missile In 7 Days

FOX News: US Air Force launches another long-range missile into Pacific

For the second time in a week, the U.S. Air Force test launched another long-range ballistic missile on Wednesday morning, flying more than 4,000 miles from a base in California before splashing down in the Pacific near the Marshall Islands.

The test comes just days after North Korea attempted a missile test of its own -- but failed -- as tensions remain high in the region.

The Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by a team in Montana shortly after 3 a.m. ET, the Air Force said in a statement. Officials said the launch was planned years in advance and was not related to rising tensions with North Korea.

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Update #1: US tests intercontinental ballistic missile from California (AFP)
Update #2: US successfully launches second Minuteman III ballistic missile in 7 days (PHOTOS, VIDEO) (RT)

WNU Editor: So the system works. In addition (from FOX News) ....

.... The Air Force keeps 450 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles on alert around the clock in underground silos across three bases in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.

The U.S. Air Force Will Be Testing Another Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Tonight

L.A. Times: U.S. Air Force to test launch another missile from Vandenberg

The U.S. Air Force will test launch an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base – the second test in a week.

The Minuteman III missile launch will occur between 12:01 and 6:01 a.m. from the base northwest of Santa Barbara, according to Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing.

“The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system,” Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement.

The 576th Flight Test Squadron will be responsible for collecting data of the missile and ensuring safety, the Air Force said.

Read more ....

Update #1: US To Test Fire Another Minuteman III ICBM Tonight (Zero Hedge)
Update #2: Second Minuteman III missile test launch planned at Vandenberg AFB (The Tribune)

WNU Editor: This will be the second test in a week.

Air Force To Test A Minuteman III Missile On Wednesday

Minuteman III missile. Military.com

L.A. Times: U.S. Air Force to launch test missile off Central California coast

An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile will be launched Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base to test the weapon’s effectiveness, accuracy and readiness, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command.

The Minuteman III missile test launch will occur between 12:01 and 6:01 a.m. from the north end of the base near Lompoc, according to Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing. The 576th Flight Test Squadron, which will help oversee the operational test launch, is responsible for telemetry, tracking and command destruct systems on the missile.

In a statement, Col. Chris Moss, Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing commander, said missile launches are “essential to verify the status of our national nuclear force and to demonstrate our national nuclear capabilities.”

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Update: Air Force to test ICBM Wednesday amid North Korea tensions -- Washington Examiner

WNU Editor: With North Korean tensions sky-high .... the timing of this test is making some speculate that it is a message to North Korea.

U.S. Conducts Its Second Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test In One Week

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) streaks through the sky of Vandenberg in California, August 25, 2005. The U.S. test fired its second ICBM in a week on Thursday. REUTERS

Reuters: U.S. test-fires ICBMs to stress its power to Russia, North Korea

The U.S. military test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile in a week on Thursday night, seeking to demonstrate its nuclear arms capacity at a time of rising strategic tensions with Russia and North Korea.

The unarmed Minuteman III missile roared out of a silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California late at night, raced across the sky at speeds of up to 15,000 mph (24,000 kph) and landed a half hour later in a target area 4,200 miles (6,500 km) away near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific.

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, who witnessed the launch, said the U.S. tests, conducted at least 15 times since January 2011, send a message to strategic rivals like Russia, China and North Korea that Washington has an effective nuclear arsenal.

"That’s exactly why we do this," Work told reporters before the launch.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Conducting Its Second Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test In One Week

U.S. Air Force tests long-range ballistic missile -- USA Today
Nuke test: The missile is the message — the Pentagon hopes -- Newsweek
US to Test Intercontinental Ballistic Missile - Deputy Defense Secretary -- Sputnik

US Air Force Test-Launches A Minuteman 3 Missile From Vandenberg Air Force Base

Daily Mail: Minuteman ICBM soars over California as US Air Force run test-launch - but this time without causing a UFO scare

* A Minuteman 3 missile was test-launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles Saturday at 11.34pm PST
* The unarmed missile's destination was 4,200 miles into the Pacific Ocean
* It was carrying a test re-entry vehicle to the Marshall Islands
* Test-launches are a common sight at the base

The US Air Force launched a test-run of its Minuteman 3 missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles last night, lighting up the sky with enough rocket fuel to carry the missile to its destination, 4,200 miles away.

In November last year, the US Navy fired a missile from a submarine off the coast of Southern California at night causing scores of residents to report it as a UFO.

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More News On The US Air Force Test-Launching A Minuteman 3 Missile From Vandenberg Air Force Base

Minot tests Minuteman III with launch from Vandenberg AFB -- US Airforce
US Air Force Test-Launches Minuteman Missile From California -- AP
Air Force test-launches Minuteman III ICBM -- UPI
Air Force Subjects Boeing-Built Minuteman III Missile to Flight Test -- Executive Gov.
USAF test launches unarmed Minuteman III ballistic missile -- Airforce Technology

U.S. Navy Test Fires A Trident Ballistic Missile Off The Coast Of California (Video)

CNN: Mystery light freaks out Southern California residents

(CNN)Panic and speculation spread Saturday night when a bright white light shot through the night skies in Southern California.

Residents posted a flurry of videos on social media, together with theories of aliens or meteors. Others made panicked calls to law enforcement officials.

But not to worry, U.S. military officials said. It was a planned missile test.

The Navy Strategic Systems Programs held a scheduled missile test flight at sea from USS Kentucky, which is a ballistic missile submarine. The test was conducted off the coast of Southern California, the Pentagon said in a statement.

It said the missile was not armed.

WNU Editor: The Pentagon did warn everyone that things were going to happen at night time off the coast of Los Angeles .... Secret U.S. Military Operations Over The Pacific Will Force Planes At LAX To Use Different Routes (For One Week)

More News On The U.S. Navy Firing A Trident Ballistic Missile Off The Coast Of California (Video)

Naval Missile Test off California Creates Streaking Light -- AP
Naval missile test off Southern California coast creates stir -- FOX News
Navy’s Trident Missile Launch Startles Southern California -- Times of San Diego
Missile Test off Calif. Coast Causes Streaking Light, Confusion -- NBC
Witnesses Report Seeing Bright Light Across Southern California Sky -- NBC San Diego
Residents Across Western States Report Seeing Strange Lights Across The Sky -- CBS Los Angeles
Mysterious light in night sky sends Californians into tizzy -- USA Today
'Mysterious light in sky' spooks California -- BBC
Mysterious light blazes across California sky, sparking confusion, excitement and fears of alien invasion -- Washington Post
'UFO' over LA on Saturday night revealed to be Trident missile launched by US Navy -- The Independent

U.S. Delays Missile Test To Placate North Koreans

US Seeks To Ease Tensions With North Korea By Postponing Missile Test -- The Guardian

Test launch of a Minuteman 3 intercontinental missile next week delayed until next month to avoid exacerbating crisis.

The US has attempted to ease rising tensions with North Korea by postponing a missile test scheduled to take place in California next week, lest this be interpreted by Pyongyang as deliberately provocative.

The US defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, decided to delay the long-planned test launch of a Minuteman 3 intercontinental missile from an airbase until next month over concerns it could exacerbate the crisis, officials briefed reporters anonymously. "This is the logical, prudent and responsible course of action to take," a senior defence official was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Delaying Next Week's Missile Test To Placate The North Koreans

U.S. delays missile test to avoid stoking North Korea tensions -- Reuters
U.S. Delays Missile Test Over Tension With North Korea -- USA Today/AP
US delays missile test to cool N. Korea tensions -- Global Post/AFP
Official: U.S. delays missile test to avoid 'misperceptions' by North Korea -- CNN
U.S. delaying missile test as Korea tensions rise -- Washington Post
US Delays Missile Test During Korean Tensions -- Voice of America
Minuteman 3 Test Delayed to Avoid North Korean ‘Manipulation’ -- ABC News
US postpones missile test to avoid 'misperception' -- Deutsche Welle
US delays missile test amid tensions with North Korea -- NBC

My Comment: The North Koreans do not care if the U.S. delays their missile test. If anything .... this will only be more proof to them that the U.S. is weak.

Update: This is not surprising .... North Korea Propaganda Victory After US Cancels ICBM Test Over Increasing Tensions (Huffington Post).