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Experimental Hypersonic Army Rocket Blows Up After Take Off

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Aug 26, 2014 10:19 AM EDT

The US military had to detonate an experimental hypersonic weapon seconds after lift-off Monday due to a technical problem. 

"Less than four seconds into the lift-off phase, we terminated the flight," Pentagon spokeswoman Maureen Schumann told AFP.

Without providing more details, she added that the decision to abort the flight test in Alaska was due to a technological 'anomaly.'

According to officials, the launch of the 'Advanced Hypersonic Weapon' occurred after 4 am local time at the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska.

The weapon is part of the Pentagon's "prompt global strike" program designed to build conventional weapons that could take out targets anywhere on the planet within an hour's notice, phys.org reported.

"Due to an anomaly, the test was terminated near the launch pad shortly after lift-off to ensure public safety," the Pentagon said in a statement.

No injuries were in the incident, the statement said, adding that officials are conducting an "extensive investigation" to determine what went wrong. 

Previously, the flight test for the weapon was carried out in November 2011. 

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