The Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from a base in Southern California early Wednesday as part of the service’s continuing effort to evaluate the weapon and its crew, officials said.
The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base into the Pacific Ocean had been previously scheduled and was not in response to any world events, officials said.
“Our ability to conduct these rigorous, realistic tests is foundational to our national security,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “This launch verifies the health and readiness of our ICBM force, confirming the capability of every component of the ICBM enterprise, from our operators to the weapon system itself, to execute the mission.”
Engineers tracked the missile’s flight path to evaluate its propulsion, guidance and reentry systems under what Air Force officials said was “extreme physical stress.”
“This launch allows us to authenticate the complete performance profile of the Minuteman III,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the Air Force’s 576th Flight Test Squadron. “It confirms the precision of the system, ensuring the reentry vehicle can be delivered to its target with pinpoint accuracy.”
Wednesday’s ICBM launch comes amid a three-day Russian nuclear military exercise that started Tuesday and continues to Thursday involving hundreds of missile launchers, combat aircraft, surface ships and at least eight strategic missile submarines, Russian defense officials said.
“During the practical exercises, the troops will prepare a number of nuclear forces units and formations for mission readiness and provide them with comprehensive support as well as conduct ballistic and cruise missile launches at test ranges in the Russian Federation,” the Defense Ministry officials said on Telegram.
The objectives of the exercise are to improve the skills of command and operational personnel and provide practical training on the preparation and use of nuclear forces “under the threat of aggression,” Russian officials said.
The exercise also includes training for Russian nuclear forces deployed to Belarus, the Defense Ministry officials said.
The Minuteman III remains the backbone of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, but it is ancient by military standards. The 400 missiles kept on alert status in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota were deployed in 1970 with an original intended lifespan of just 10 years.
“These operational tests are the most visible and vital way we verify the readiness of our systems,” said Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group.
As the Air Force transitions to the LGM-35A Sentinel, the cycle of operational testing ensures the land-based leg of the nuclear triad remains “safe, reliable, and effective until its successor is fully deployed,” officials said.
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