The US conducted a test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile against the backdrop of nuclear tests in Belarus
The US Air Force Global Strike Command has announced the successful test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.
The launch, without a warhead, took place on 20 May at 00:01 Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The US Air Force emphasised that the test had been planned “many years ago” and was not a reaction to the international situation.
General Lex Scott Daviss, Commander of Global Strike Command, stated that the ability to conduct such tests is fundamental to US national security.
According to him, the launch confirmed the readiness of US intercontinental ballistic missile forces and the operational status of all system components.
During the test, specialists tracked the missile’s flight path to assess the performance of the engines, guidance systems and re-entry system under extreme stress conditions.
The Air Force also reported that the process of replacing Minuteman III missiles with the new LGM-35A Sentinel system is ongoing. Until this transition is complete, the Minuteman III will remain on combat duty.
