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US fighter jet shoots down ‘nuke missile’ in WW3 military test as Russia unveils ‘unstoppable’ hypersonic rocket
A US fighter pilot gunned down a cruise missile mid flight during a top secret World War 3 exercise, it's been revealed.
The Top Gun ace took out the 500mph "nuke" while flying his F-16 Fighting Falcon over the Gulf of Mexico.
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He used a laser-guided 70-millimetre Hydra rocket to destroy the simulated threat after taking off from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
The news emerged as Russia bragged its "unstoppable"Avangard hypersonic missile system is now combat ready.
According to , the F-16's mission was carried out December 19 by the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
Its weapon was fired from a rocket pod carried by the fighter jet and guided to an unarmed drone missile by the fighter jet’s on board targeting system.
Newly emerged video of the test shows the F-16 flying over the sea and firing from a launcher on its belly.
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US military leaders believe the successful exercise proves each F-16 could shoot down a dozen or more cruise missiles in a single mission.
Russia’s launch of Kalibr rockets against targets in Syria and Iranian missiles launched against Saudi Arabia alerted the West of the possibility cruise missiles could be used against the US.
Nuclear-capable cruise missiles trade speed for the ability to fly under the beams of enemy radar systems,
Many fly so low they are only detectable by conventional ground-based radars at distances of 30 miles or less giving defence systems little of not time to react to the threat.
“The test was unprecedented and will shape the future of how the Air Force executes CMD,” said Col. Ryan Messer, commander of the 53d Wing at Eglin.
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“This is a prime example of how the 53d Wing is using resources readily available to establish innovative ways that enhance combat capabilities for our combat units.”
Yesterday we reported how the Kremlin boasted its Avangard nukes can travel up to 27 times the speed of sound and put Russia miles ahead in the arms race.
US intelligence analysts have warned the West has no defence against the mega-fast nukes, which can hit anywhere in the world, reports claimed earlier this year.
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