The United States Air Force is set to conduct a routine test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, including a hypersonic missile launch, as part of ongoing efforts to assess the effectiveness and readiness of its nuclear deterrent. The test, scheduled between 11 PM PT Wednesday and 5 AM PT Thursday, will see an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The missile is expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles to a test range near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, with a flight duration of around 22 minutes.
The exercise involves selecting a missile at random, typically from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, and is part of long-term planning to maintain the operational viability of the Minuteman III ICBM until its replacement by the LGM-35A Sentinel system in the mid-2030s. The current fleet includes 400 silo-based Minuteman III ICBMs, with 50 additional silos on standby, managed across three wings in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana.
President Donald J. Trump recently criticized perceived nuclear testing by Russia and China, stating, “Russia’s testing and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it. They don’t have reporters that are going to be writing about it, we do.” His remarks follow reports of Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming advancements in nuclear-powered weapons, including a new class of nuclear submarine capable of deploying torpedoes with nuclear warheads. However, the operational status of these systems remains unverified.
The test underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining its nuclear capabilities while highlighting international concerns over rival nations’ military developments.
