Pentagon tests missile previously banned under U.S.-Russia treaty

Now that the United States and Russia have scrapped an arms control agreement, the Pentagon announced on Monday it has conducted a test of a previously banned missile.

The missile, a modified version of a Navy Tomahawk cruise missile, was tested off the coast of Southern California on Sunday, and after flying 310 miles, it hit its target, the Pentagon said. The missile had a conventional warhead. Previously, Defense Department officials said the missile would likely have a range of about 620 miles, and could be ready for use within 18 months, The Associated Press reports. The Pentagon has also said it plans on soon testing a non-nuclear ballistic missile with a range of about 1,864 to 2,485 miles.

Under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, missiles able to fly between 310 and 3,410 miles were banned. The U.S. and Russia withdrew from the treaty on Aug. 2, after both sides accused one another of violating the agreement.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up