On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Department of Defense successfully test-launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with nuclear strike capabilities from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Despite not carrying a warhead, the U.S. military emphasized that the routine test launch demonstrated America’s “safe, reliable, and effective” nuclear deterrent capabilities. This comes amidst increased missile deployments and escalating arms races by China and Russia.
The missile was launched at 12:01 a.m., carrying a Mark-21 reentry vehicle, and traveled approximately 4,200 miles to successfully reach the U.S. military missile test range at Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Marshall Islands.
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) stated that this test is part of the U.S.’s regular intercontinental missile testing, aimed at showcasing the “safety, reliability, and effectiveness of America’s nuclear deterrent force,” and not directed at any current geopolitical situation. The U.S. also underscored that these tests effectively ensure the credibility and readiness of the nuclear forces.
According to Newsweek, the test launch coincided with Russia canceling a training launch of the RS-24 Yars missile and China conducting a test of the DF-31AG missile in September last year. Analysts widely view this U.S. action as having significant strategic symbolism.
Currently, the U.S. has around 400 Minuteman III missiles deployed across 5 states, forming one part of its nuclear triad, along with submarine-launched missiles and nuclear-capable bombers. As per the data from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in 2023, the U.S. possesses a total of 3,748 nuclear warheads.
Prior to this test launch, the U.S. informed Russia according to standard procedures and issued a pre-launch notification under the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) to avoid miscalculations or escalation risks. Since the initiation of this program, the U.S. military has conducted over 300 similar test launches.
General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, stated, “This test launch demonstrates the high readiness and credible nuclear deterrent capabilities of our country’s intercontinental missile forces, which are the cornerstone of U.S. and allied security.” He praised the Air Force personnel involved in this mission, including missile operators, defense units, helicopter pilots, and ground support teams.
In the future, the U.S. plans to gradually replace the Minuteman III with the Sentinel system, completing the modernization upgrade of the intercontinental missile system.