Pentagon Conducts Secret Test Launch in Florida

By Staff, Agencies

A missile launch was spotted by observers at Cape Canaveral, which was later confirmed as a test launch by a US military spokesperson.

Media reports indicated that the launch occurred around 7 a.m. [11:00 GMT], during which the vehicle separated into two distinct sections. One section appeared to tumble away, while the other continued to move forward until it vanished into the sky.

On Thursday, the Pentagon officially announced that it has named its long-range hypersonic weapon "Dark Eagle," following the system's successful testing in December, though its relation to today's launch is uncertain.

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James J. Mingus said during a Senate hearing in March that the US military’s long-range hypersonic weapon is expected to become operational by the end of this year.