US Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable Minuteman-III Missile; Hits Target 6,700 KM Away in Marshall Islands

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The United States demonstrated its nuclear strength by successfully testing an unarmed Minuteman-III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The test was confirmed by the US Space Force Command. The missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has a strike range of up to 14,000 kilometers.

Launched from California

According to Space Force Command, the missile was launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The test, codenamed GT 254, was conducted to evaluate the reliability, operational readiness, and accuracy of the ICBM system.

The launch was initiated by the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron using the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS), a backup command and control system for missiles. The test also served to assess the operational effectiveness of this system.

Reached Target 6,700 KM Away

After launch, the Minuteman-III missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles (6,759 km) and reached its designated target at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands. Advanced radar and sensors at the site collected key performance data throughout the flight.

Lieutenant Colonel Carrie Ray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said, “This was more than just a missile launch — it was a comprehensive test of our ICBM system’s full capability.”

Personnel from all three missile wings of the Air Force Command and maintenance staff from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming also participated in the test.

‘Sentinel’ in Development, ‘Minuteman’ Still Reliable

The US is currently upgrading its missile arsenal by replacing the aging Minuteman-III system with the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel. However, maintaining the readiness and reliability of the Minuteman-III system remains crucial until the new system becomes fully operational.

General S.L. Davis stated that the GT 254 test reaffirms the Minuteman-III’s precision and dependability, ensuring its continued role in safeguarding America’s national security.