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21h ago

U.S. Conducts Minuteman III ICBM Test, Demonstrating Nuclear Deterrence Readiness

The unarmed missile traveled 4,200 miles to the Pacific, reaffirming the reliability of the aging arsenal as the U.S. plans its transition to next-generation systems.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 21, 2025.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test fired from California early Tuesday.
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Overview

  • The Minuteman III missile was launched at 12:01 a.m. PT on May 21, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California toward the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
  • Equipped with an unarmed Mark-21 reentry vehicle, the missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles, successfully reaching its target to validate operational performance.
  • The test is part of routine activities to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and is not a response to any specific global event.
  • Washington provided advance notification of the launch to Moscow and Hague Code of Conduct partners, reaffirming its arms-control commitments.
  • The U.S. continues to rely on the 1970s-era Minuteman III system as it prepares to replace the fleet with the next-generation Sentinel ICBM by the early 2030s.