intercontinental

She applies a forensic eye to what might happen in a handful of nerve centers if radar picked up an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile headed straight for the Midwest.

That will require an audit of the regulations around Sentinel, the program for replacing intercontinental ballistic missiles, and eliminating unnecessary and costly barriers to avoid more delays and cost overruns.

The U.S. had an extensive program on them in the 1950s but abandoned the concept as scientists perfected intercontinental ballistic missiles, which fly far faster and higher.

A 2021 report by the US Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center concluded: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would give Russia a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."

North Korea has since conducted multiple tests of intercontinental missiles, its neighbours say.