Pentagon Shows “Functional” & “Operational” ICBM with Minuteman III Test

By Jim Morris, Vice President, Center for Military Modernization

It was a spectacular middle-of-the-night show, a demonstration of the US nuclear deterrent that the Pentagon said had nothing to do with current world events.

While indeed many of these tests are both regular and routine, it makes sense that the Pentagon might wish to send a clear, unmistakable deterrence message that, despite delays with the next-generation Sentinel, the US does operate a functional and capable ICBM. This is of particular strategic significance given the current threat environment, something which includes Russian nuclear threats as well as the possibility of hostile Iranian nuclear weapons intent.

The Air Force Global Strike Force Command (AFGSC), supported by Space Force Guardians, test-fired an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile early Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (Link to Space Force video: Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of US nuclear force’s safe, effective deterrent > United States Space Force > Article Display).

Warrior Talks to Northrop & Air Force About Sentinel

The re-entry vehicle flew roughly 4,200 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. That’s where the US Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command has its Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site.

“Our ICBM force provides 24/7 strategic deterrence and stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice as the most responsive leg of the nuclear triad,” said General Thomas Bussiere, (AFGSC commander). “Or test launches demonstrate and confirm our readiness to deliver s safe, secure, effective and credible global combat capability.”