The U.S. military carried out a planned test launch of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), demonstrating the strength and readiness of its nuclear forces.
Key Details of the Missile Test
On May 21, 2025, at 3:01 a.m. ET, the Minuteman III ICBM was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles (6,760 kilometers) to hit its target at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located in the Kwajalein Atoll, part of the Marshall Islands.
The U.S. Space Force confirmed that this test was scheduled months in advance and was not a reaction to any current global events.
Purpose and Significance of the Launch
The test was overseen by the Air Force Global Strike Command and supported by missile units from F.E. Warren Force Base in Wyoming and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.
This launch serves to confirm the operational readiness of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, specifically the land-based missile segment of the nuclear triad, which also includes submarine-launched missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft.
General Thomas Bussiere, commander of Global Strike Command, emphasized the importance of the test, stating it highlights the strength of the nation’s nuclear deterrent and the dedication of the personnel who operate and maintain these systems.
About the Minuteman III Missile
The Minuteman III is a ground-launched missile designed to deliver nuclear warheads over long distances. It travels outside Earth’s atmosphere before reentering the atmosphere and targeting its destination.
Currently, the Minuteman III carries a single warhead, in line with arms control agreements since 2014. This missile is set to be replaced by the new LGM-35 Sentinel, which is under development by Northrop Grumman and expected to enter service by 2030.
Advances in Missile Technology
While most reentry vehicles follow ballistic trajectories, militaries worldwide are developing hypersonic and maneuverable reentry vehicles. These new technologies make missile defense more challenging due to their speed and unpredictable paths.
Historical Context
The first-ever ICBM was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, using technology that also launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. The United States followed with its own ICBM, the SM-65 Atlas, later adapted to launch astronauts during the early space missions.
Modern rockets like the Atlas V, still in use today, trace their origins back to these early missile designs.
