The US Air Force successfully launched a hypersonic missile on February 19, showcasing the nation's nuclear deterrent capabilities in Trump’s administration.

The ballistic missile was shot over the Pacific Ocean and travelled more than 4,200 miles to a test range in the Marshall Islands. It completed the journey in about 22 minutes and travelled at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour, which is 24 times faster than a typical passenger jet.

The United States on Wednesday fired an unarmed but nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from California over the Pacific Ocean for its first test launch of this year. Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment via email.