The US Air Force Global Strike Command recently executed a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to demonstrate its nuclear deterrent capabilities. This launch is part of routine and periodic activities aimed at ensuring that the United States’ nuclear arsenal is safe, secure, reliable, and effective.
The Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and showcased its ability to deliver multiple targeted re-entry vehicles. Following lift-off, the missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles (6,759 kilometers) to hit a designated test site on the Marshall Islands. This launch marks one of more than 300 similar ICBM tests conducted in the past.
The Minuteman III system is crucial for the strategic defense of the United States, boasting an impressive range of 5,218 nautical miles (approximately 6,000 miles or 9,656 kilometers) and a maximum speed of around 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kilometers per hour). To protect these missiles from potential attacks, they are housed in reinforced underground silos.
These silos are intricately linked to underground launch control centers through hardened cables, allowing for secure communication and command. The system is fortified with multiple communication networks to ensure immediate and reliable contact between launch crews and the nation’s top leadership, including the President and the Secretary of Defense. In scenarios where communication between ground control and missile launch facilities is compromised, airborne launch control center crews are equipped to take command, thereby ensuring that the President’s orders can still be executed swiftly.
Currently, the United States maintains a stockpile of 400 Minuteman III missiles positioned at various military bases across the country, underscoring the strategic importance of this defense system in maintaining national security. This recent test serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to ensuring a robust and effective nuclear deterrent force.
