US to test hypersonic nuclear missile on Election Day hours after millions cast their vote

The US military is set to carry out the test launch of a hypersonic nuclear missile on November 5 - just hours after polls close.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is due to be fired between 11:01pm and 5:01am PT from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Despite reports of concerns on the part of some Americans that the missile is being launched around the Presidential Election, military officials assured worried parties that "test is routine and was scheduled years in advance."

They insisted that the test was to demonstrate the "readiness of nuclear US forces" and provide "confidence in the nation's nuclear deterrence".

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