Overview

• 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.