The United States Air Force has conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base as part of a routine exercise designated GT-255. The launch aimed to assess the reliability and performance of the US land-based nuclear deterrent.
The missile carried two experimental re-entry vehicles and travelled thousands of miles to a designated target near Kwajalein Atoll. The test forms part of a long-term programme designed to evaluate missile capabilities, guide maintenance and development, and maintain the readiness of the land-based leg of the US nuclear triad.
Data gathered from the flight will support improvements to the Minuteman III system ahead of its replacement by the future LGM-35A Sentinel, ensuring the continued modernisation and efficiency of the United States’ ground-based nuclear deterrent.
