DOD tests intermediate-range, ground-launched cruise missile  

By Justin Doubleday / August 19, 2019 at 1:50 PM

The Defense Department tested a ground-launched cruise missile at a range greater than 500 kilometers over the weekend, the first such test since the Trump administration formally abandoned the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty due to Russia's alleged violations.

The test occurred on Sunday afternoon at San Nicolas Island, CA, and involved a "conventionally configured ground-launched cruise missile," according to a DOD statement issued today. The missile "accurately impacted its target after more than 500 kilometers of flight," DOD said.

"Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense's development of future intermediate-range capabilities," the statement continued.

The United States withdrew from the INF Treaty on Aug. 2, six months after notifying Russia of its intent to leave the accord.

The 1987 treaty bans the deployment of all land-based cruise missiles, conventional and nuclear, with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. For several years dating back to the Obama administration, U.S. officials have charged Russia with developing and deploying weapons that violate the treaty, an allegation Moscow denies.

"We cannot be the only country in the world unilaterally bound by this treaty, or any other," President Trump said in February. "We will move forward with developing our own military response options and will work with NATO and our other allies and partners to deny Russia any military advantage from its unlawful conduct."

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