US Nuclear Force demonstrates its readiness through successful testing of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

On February 19, 2025, a joint team of US Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The missile, equipped with a single telemetered joint test assembly re-entry vehicle, traveled approximately 6,760 kilometers to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This test is part of routine activities aimed at validating the safety, security, reliability, and effectiveness of the United States' nuclear deterrent.

The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), equipped with a single telemetered joint test assembly re-entry vehicle, traveled approximately 6,760 kilometers. (Picture source: US DoD)

Vandenberg Space Force Base, located in Santa Barbara County, California, has played a pivotal role in the United States' intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and nuclear programs since its establishment in 1941 as Camp Cooke. Originally a training ground for infantry and armored divisions during World War II, the base transitioned into a crucial missile test and launch facility in the 1950s. With its ideal coastal location, allowing westward missile launches over the Pacific Ocean, Vandenberg became the primary site for testing and launching ICBMs, including the PGM-17 Thor, SM-65 Atlas, HGM-25A Titan I, LGM-25C Titan II, and LGM-30 Minuteman missiles

Officials describe the Minuteman III as a critical element of the U.S. nuclear triad, contributing to national defense strategy. Acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth stated that the test reflects the operational readiness of U.S. nuclear forces, while AFGSC Commander Gen. Thomas Bussiere noted the missile’s reliability. Col. Dustin Harmon, 377th TEG commander, emphasized the importance of data collection for maintaining Minuteman III and planning for the Sentinel ICBM.

Over 300 similar tests have been conducted as part of the established program to assess system performance, collect data, and analyze missile system competencies. These routine tests support the evaluation of the Minuteman III as a consistent deterrent in the context of 21st-century threats, as the Minuteman III is currently the only land-based ICBM in the U.S. arsenal, representing the land leg of the nuclear triad alongside the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile and strategic bombers. The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command, uses data from test launches for ongoing force development evaluation.

The LGM-30 Minuteman series has been a cornerstone of U.S. strategic defense since its introduction in 1962. The Minuteman III, which entered service in 1970, introduced multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) to the U.S. ICBM arsenal. Initially, the missile could carry up to three W62 Mk-12 warheads, each with a yield of 170 kilotons of TNT, but now operates with a single W78 (335 kT) or W87 (300 kT) warhead due to arms reduction agreements. The Minuteman III is a solid-fuel, three-stage ICBM with a mass of 36,030 kg and a length of 18.3 m. It features a maximum operational range of 14,000 km and a flight ceiling of 1,120 km. The missile can achieve speeds up to Mach 23 (28,200 km/h) during its terminal phase. The missile's gimballed inertial navigation system (NS-50) provides a targeting accuracy of approximately 200 meters.

Modernization plans involve transitioning from the Minuteman III to the LGM-35A Sentinel, with initial capability expected by 2029 and full capability by the mid-2030s. The replacement process includes retiring legacy equipment such as the Transporter Erector (TE) systems, transitioning to modern systems designed to improve operational readiness and reduce maintenance requirements. The 91st Missile Wing was the last unit using the old TE systems as part of the modernization strategy. The Air Force aims to maintain the Minuteman III as a viable deterrent until the Sentinel system achieves full operational capability in the mid-2030s.

Initially, the Minuteman III could carry up to three W62 Mk-12 warheads, each with a yield of 170 kilotons of TNT, but now operates with a single W78 (335 kT) or W87 (300 kT) warhead due to arms reduction agreements. (Picture source: US DoD)