The Air Force conducted an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM test late Tuesday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The missile, launching at approximately 11 p.m. Pacific time, traveled 4,200 miles to a test site in the Marshall Islands, with performance data collected. This test, part of a routine validation of nuclear deterrent capabilities, does not stem from current global events, reflecting ongoing modernization challenges as the Minuteman III ages.
On Tuesday night, the Air Force Global Strike Command successfully conducted a test of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Approximately at 11 p.m. Pacific time, the missile—equipped with multiple targeted reentry vehicles—was launched, covering a distance of about 4,200 miles at a speed near 15,000 miles per hour. The missile’s trajectory concluded at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, where various data regarding its performance were collected.
The launch was executed by Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nevada, utilizing an airborne launch control system operated from a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. The selected missile was randomly chosen from a stockpile at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, transported over 1,300 miles to Vandenberg, and subsequently reassembled for the test. Global Strike Commander General Thomas Bussiere stated, “These tests are demonstrative of what striker airmen bring to the fight if called by the president.”
He emphasized that the airborne launch method underscores the survivability of the United States’ ICBM arsenal, describing it as a critical component of national defense and the protection of allies. Such tests—more than 300 of which have been conducted historically—serve to verify the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The Air Force clarified that the motivation for this particular test was not influenced by current international events.
Currently, the United States maintains approximately 400 nuclear-capable Minuteman III missiles stationed within 450 silos across states like Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska. Although these ICBMs are over 50 years old and nearing the end of their operational lifespan, they are set to be succeeded by the LGM-35A Sentinel program in the 2030s. Nevertheless, the development of the Sentinel faces challenges due to rising costs, prompting the Air Force to seek strategies for cost management in the program.
The Minuteman III, a critical component of the United States’ nuclear deterrent capabilities, has been operational since the early 1970s, often receiving upgrades to maintain its effectiveness. The ICBM has been designed to ensure rapid response capabilities to defend against potential threats to U.S. national security. The recent test represents a routine procedure by the Air Force to validate the reliability and survivability of the U.S. ICBM program, especially amid modernization efforts as existing systems age. The transition to the newer LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM is part of the U.S. military’s broader strategy to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent into the future and respond effectively to global threats.
In summary, the recent unarmed Minuteman III test exemplifies the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and effective nuclear deterrent, highlighting its capabilities and readiness. As the older Minuteman III missiles approach the end of their service life, the impending introduction of the LGM-35A Sentinel underscores the ongoing efforts to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal, ensuring that it remains safe, secure, and effective well into the future.
Original Source: www.defensenews.com
