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The unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been launched from a US Air Force base in California today to ensure its “effectiveness, readiness and accuracy”. The Minuteman III missile test launch will also be used to demonstrate America's “national nuclear capabilities”, according to the US military.

Inside North Korea: The pictures Kim Jong-un doesn't want you to see Thu, March 8, 2018 Photographer Eric Lafforgue ventured to North Korea six times. Thanks to digital memory cards, he was able to save photos that was forbidden to take inside the segregated state Play slideshow Eric Lafforgue/Exclusivepix Medi 1 of 69 Taking pictures in the DMZ is easy, but if you come too close to the soldiers, they stop you

US AIR FORCE The missile was launched from a US Air Force base in California

Its launch took place at 12.03am local time and was carried out from North Vandenberg Air Force Base, according to the 30th Space Wing unit that conducted the test. An ICBM is a long-range guided ballistic missile with a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres, and top speed of around 14,500mph. They were first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1958, following by the US in 1959 and China some 20 years later. US TEAM UP WITH SOUTH KOREA FOR MILITARY DRILL OPERATION MAX THUNDER

US AIR FORCE The US says the test was planned in advance

US AIR FORCE The launch comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula

And now it is thought US and North Korea – which are around 8,000km apart – could use the weapons to carry out a deadly strike on each other. The missiles can be launched for multiple platforms - from submarines to heavy trucks - and one ICBM fired from Moscow could reach New York in less than 30 minutes. However the US's Minuteman III ICBM - a msystem that has been in service for 60 years - carries just one warhead. WHY DOES KIM JONG-UN HATE DONALD TRUMP?

Forbidden photographs depict the true North Korean army Wed, April 12, 2017 While tourists are able to visit North Korea as part of a controlled tour group, they are asked by their handlers to never take photographs of soldiers. These pictures taken by photographer Eric Lafforgue show the reality of military service in the secretive state Play slideshow ERIC LAFFORGUE/EXCLUSIVEPIX MEDI 1 of 26 Soldiers enjoy a ride at the funfair in Pyongyang

Commander of the unit, Colonel John Moss, said: “These Minuteman launches are essential to verify the status of our national nuclear force and to demonstrate our national nuclear capabilities.” The launch comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, as a US carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson approaches North Korean waters. But a spokeswoman for the Air Force Global Strike Command says the test was planned in advance - and is not connected with the current situation in North Korea. NORTH KOREA - LIVE UPDATES AS WORLD PREPARES FOR WAR

US AIR FORCE The Minuteman III has been in service for 60 years

These Minuteman launches are essential to verify the status of our national nuclear force Commander of the unit, Colonel John Moss

She added the launches happen on regular basis. However the test run also comes as US troops have teamed up with soldiers from South Korea for 11 days of military training drills - involving aircraft carriers, fighter jets and military operations.

WIKIPEDIA The SM-65 Atlas was the first US ICBM