Navy Reportedly Performs Second Missile Test Off West Coast
(CBS SF) -- After a missile test caused a social media firestorm over the weekend, a United States Navy submarine reportedly launched a second missile for testing off the Southern California coast Monday.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a ballistic submarine launched an unarmed Trident II (D5) missile Monday afternoon. The missile used in Monday's test was the same type used on Saturday.
The Navy told the Times that the launches were part of a planned exercise and that they are done with testing for the time being.
"We don't announce future launches, but this is it for any time soon," Navy Strategic Systems Programs office spokesperson John M. Daniels told the newspaper.
On Saturday, people across California, Nevada and Arizona reported seeing a mysterious bright flash of light around 6:00 p.m., which led some to speculate it was a meteor or a UFO. Witnesses to the flash posted their pictures on social media and flooded newsrooms with calls.
The $31 million Trident missiles are built by Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, the Times reported.
Tridents reportedly can hit targets 4,000 nautical miles away.
