U.S. Conducts Minuteman III Missile Test Over Pacific

The unarmed ICBM launch from California demonstrates the reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and its commitment to national security.

The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Wednesday morning.
The missile traveled 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, reaching speeds of 15,000 mph.
Officials emphasized the test was routine, planned years in advance, and not a response to current global events, including recent Russian military activity.
The test validated the readiness, accuracy, and reliability of the Minuteman III system, which is part of the U.S. nuclear triad.
This test data will support the maintenance of the Minuteman III and inform the transition to the next-generation Sentinel ICBM, scheduled for deployment starting in 2029.