In the early hours of yesterday, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force announced that a new test launch of a Minuteman III ballistic missile, without its corresponding warheads, had been carried out from Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in the state of California. According to available information, the launch was primarily intended to test the reliability, operability, and accuracy of the weapon in question, thereby demonstrating the deterrence capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces as part of a pre-scheduled activity with similar precedents in May of this year.
Expanding on some details, it was reported that the launched missile traveled a total of 6,760 kilometers, departing from the aforementioned Vandenberg base toward the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Additionally, it was indicated that the launch was carried out by the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron of the Air Force Global Strike Command, which received support from the control systems of a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft.
Quoting some official statements, we can cite Lieutenant Colonel Karrie Wray, who currently serves as commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron: “GT 254 (Ed. Note: as the test was designated) is not just a launch but it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission. The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”
On the other hand, it is worth recalling that these Minuteman III launches not only help maintain the extensive deterrence network available to Washington but also facilitate the collection of crucial data for the development of the future LGM-35A Sentinel system, currently being developed as its replacement. Until the latter enters service, the Minuteman III will continue its legacy spanning more than five decades, with the first unit having been deployed in the 1970s.
As stated by U.S. Air Force General Stephen L. Davis: “As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet. GT 254 helps fulfill that commitment, ensuring its continued accuracy and reliabilityy.”
Finally, it is worth noting that the tests described above come just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his country would resume nuclear testing after more than 33 years of suspension. According to the president, this decision stems from the challenges posed by the tests conducted by other powers that rival the U.S. on the geopolitical stage—specifically Russia and China, mentioned in that order by Trump himself. As illustrative examples, it is worth highlighting Moscow’s recent tests with its nuclear-powered Burevestnik missiles, as well as with its Poseidon UUVs, which have previously been described as having great destructive power.
Cover image: Tech. Sgt. Draeke Layman
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