On June 4, the United States successfully [1] carried out a training launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This exercise is the first of two Minuteman III ICBM launches scheduled for this week, with the second launch planned for June 6. Purported footage of the launch from a social media post on X shows the power of the ICBM in action:
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🚀⚡The US carried out a planned test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday, Air Force Global Strike Command announced.
This was the first of two test launches scheduled for this week. pic.twitter.com/pOv9i0x4ez [2]
— vanhoa (@vanhoa2272) June 4, 2024 [3]
An ICBM is a long-range missile that can travel over 5,500 kilometers and is primarily designed for delivering nuclear warheads. The Minuteman III, a critical component of the U.S. strategic deterrent forces, is capable of striking targets across the globe with precise accuracy.
The operation, performed by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Space Force Guardians, involved launching an unarmed Minuteman III missile equipped with a single re-entry vehicle at 12:56 a.m. Pacific Time. According to a post on the base’s website, this effort was part of routine and periodic activities aimed at verifying the safety, security, reliability, and effectiveness of the United States’ nuclear deterrent.
The U.S. military emphasized [4] that these activities are crucial in demonstrating the operational readiness and capability of the country’s strategic arsenal. As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, the Department of Defense plans to replace the aging Minuteman III ICBMs with the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, expected to be operational by 2031. This transition is a key component of the broader strategy to upgrade and maintain the effectiveness of national nuclear forces.