The U.S. Air Force successfully conducted a test of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, demonstrating operational capabilities associated with the nation’s strategic defense. The missile traveled over 4,200 miles to the Marshall Islands and was launched using an airborne control system. This test, part of routine assessments, highlights the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining a reliable nuclear deterrent and preparing for future advancements in missile technology.
On Tuesday night, the United States Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile, which was equipped with multiple targeted reentry vehicles, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at approximately 11 p.m. Pacific time. It covered a distance of about 4,200 miles, traveling at a speed of roughly 15,000 miles per hour, and landed at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
During the test, various sensors at the launch facility collected radar, optical, and telemetry data during the missile’s terminal phase, allowing officials to evaluate its performance. The missile was launched by Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nevada, utilizing an airborne launch control system aboard a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. This particular missile was randomly selected from the arsenal stored at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, having been transported and reassembled on-site prior to the launch.
General Thomas Bussiere, Global Strike Commander, remarked, “These tests are demonstrative of what striker airmen bring to the fight if called by the president. An airborne launch validates the survivability of our ICBMs, which serve as the strategic backstop of our nation’s defense and defense of allies and partners.” The Air Force clarified that this test was not initiated in response to current global events but is part of a routine effort to maintain the efficacy and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
Currently, there are approximately 400 nuclear-armed Minuteman III missiles deployed in 450 silos across several states, including Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska. However, these ICBMs are aging, exceeding 50 years of service, with plans for their replacement set for the 2030s under the LGM-35A Sentinel program, despite rising projected costs that the Air Force anticipates managing.
The U.S. Air Force routinely conducts tests of its ICBM arsenal to demonstrate its nuclear deterrent capabilities, ensuring that these systems are safe and operationally effective. The Minuteman III missiles represent a vital element of the U.S. strategic defense, which serves to deter adversaries through assured retaliatory capability. Recent tests, such as the one conducted on Tuesday night, examine not only the missiles’ performance but also the procedures and technology used in their operation. As the current fleet of Minuteman III missiles approaches the end of their service life, the U.S. is preparing for their replacement with the LGM-35A Sentinel system in the near future, navigating challenges related to cost and resource allocation.
In conclusion, the recent test of the Minuteman III ICBM underscores the United States Air Force’s commitment to maintaining a robust and reliable nuclear deterrent. With aging missile systems being replaced by newer technologies in the coming decade, the Air Force intends to continue demonstrating its operational readiness. Such tests affirm the capability of Airmen and the strategic value of ICBMs in national defense, reflecting a broader commitment to both deterrence and military preparedness.
Original Source: www.defensenews.com
