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A joint team of U.S. Air Force and Navy personnel conducted a successful test of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on November 5, 2024.

The test launch demonstrated advanced nuclear deterrence capabilities and ‘readiness of nuclear forces’. Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the missile was equipped with multiple targetable reentry vehicles.

The missile flew approximately 4,200 miles at speeds exceeding 15,000 miles per hour to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The test reinforced the reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and validated key systems critical to national security.

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command statement said that this test was not driven by any specific geopolitical event, but rather as part of the routine schedule of over 300 ICBM tests conducted by the U.S. military to verify the operational readiness of its strategic missile systems.

US Air Force @AFGlobalStrike conducted a test launch of Minuteman III ICBM on Nov 5 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The missile, equipped with multiple reentry vehicles, demonstrated the effectiveness of US nuclear deterrent and the reliability of Airborne Launch Control System pic.twitter.com/kaXGOkhHes

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) November 7, 2024

Show of Strength and Reliability

This test, executed as part of ongoing operational exercises, is a demonstration of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent.

Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, emphasized the importance of these routine tests. “These tests are demonstrative of what Striker Airmen bring to the fight if called by the president,” said Gen. Bussiere. “An airborne launch validates the survivability of our ICBMs, which serve as the strategic backstop of our nation’s defense and defense of allies and partners.”

The Minuteman III missile launched in this test was transported from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, reassembled at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and launched from an Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. The 625th Strategic Operations Squadron from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was instrumental in overseeing the launch, further demonstrating the close coordination between the Air Force and Navy in maintaining strategic capabilities.

Once launched, the ICBM traveled at speeds of up to 15,000 miles per hour, reaching its target at the Reagan Test Site, where sensors—such as high-fidelity radars and telemetry—collected critical data to assess the missile’s performance.

Lt. Col. Casel Rumfelt, Range Director for the Reagan Test Site (RTS), highlighted the significance of the site’s role in supporting U.S. defense innovation. “RTS is honored to be the nation’s only long-range land impact site providing our strategic partners a safe environment and truth in testing for the continued development of the ICBM modernization efforts,” Rumfelt said.

“This range and testing facilitate America’s technical advantage on the global stage. Our team brings decades of experience and a level of professionalism that makes the impossible seem easy in a no-fail environment. I couldn’t be prouder of this incredible team,” he added.

The data collected from this test launch will support ongoing evaluations aimed at ensuring that the U.S. maintains a credible nuclear deterrent amidst evolving global security dynamics.

Sentinel program to replace Minuteman III ICBM

While the Minuteman III remains a cornerstone of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, the missiles are nearing the end of their service life. Currently, the U.S. has about 400 nuclear-armed Minuteman III missiles deployed across 450 silos in key locations throughout Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska.

The Air Force is preparing to replace the Minuteman III fleet with the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel missile in the early 2030s. However, the LGM-35A program faces significant budgetary challenges, with anticipated cost increases prompting the Air Force to explore ways to reduce future expenses while ensuring the transition to a modernized ICBM fleet remains on track. Despite these challenges, the U.S. remains committed to ensuring the operational viability of the Minuteman III missile system throughout the duration of its lifecycle.