Following the announcement made days ago, once again the United States Air Force (USAF) conducted a test launch of two Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The tests took place on June 4 and 6, according to the Global Strike Command of the Air Force, aiming to demonstrate the deterrence capability and capacities of one of the elements of the U.S. Armed Forces’ nuclear triad.
The launches, as stated by the head of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, were an example of how intercontinental ballistic missiles are prepared and ready, thus demonstrating the reliability of the system. Personnel involved in the tests belonged to the Global Strike Command of the Air Force with the support of Space Force personnel. Within this framework, they were used for radar, optical, and telemetry data collection in the terminal flight phase to assess system performance.
The statement also notes that the Minuteman III was launched with a “reentry vehicle,” which is the upper part of the missile carrying the nuclear warhead, traveling 6,768 kilometers to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
The Minuteman III, also known as the LGM-30G Minuteman, is a strategic weapons system that uses an intercontinental ballistic missile. These missiles are scattered in reinforced silos to protect them against attacks and connected to an underground launch command and control center. It was developed in the 1950s, with the first version launched in 1960. Over the years, the missile and its components have incorporated significant advances. The Minuteman maintenance concept is based on high reliability and a “plug-and-play” approach to achieve a near 100% alert rate.
To date, more than 300 tests have been conducted, stated Space Launch Delta 20, adding that this is not due to current international circumstances, but rather to demonstrate the safe and reliable nuclear deterrence capability of the United States.
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