The US Air Force test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Minuteman III, on Wednesday during a regular test from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The unarmed missile travelled some 4,200 miles at speeds of over 15,000 miles per hour to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Defence test range at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Footage of the launch shows the accuracy and capability of the missile system.
Strengthening the Nation’s Nuclear Deterrent
General Thomas Bussiere, commander of the US Global Strike Command, highlighted the importance of the launch. He stated, “This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation’s nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad.” He also praised the staff’s dedication, stating, “Dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators, and the teams who support them – maintain this powerful safeguard and ensure the security of the nation and its allies.”
At 12:01am on May 21, 2025, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command launched an LGM-30G “Minuteman III” Unarmed Nuclear-Capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.… pic.twitter.com/GaO0tb49bu
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 21, 2025
The US Armed Forces stressed that the test was routine and “not a response to current world events,” ensuring that the launch continues to be part of the regular maintenance and readiness checks for the country’s nuclear capability.
The Minuteman III and Its Future
The US first deployed the Minuteman III missile in the 1970s and equipped it with a single Mark-21 high-fidelity re-entry vehicle, which would normally carry a nuclear payload in an operational launch. The Air Force has test-launched the missile numerous times, including one just before Donald Trump declared victory in the 2024 presidential election.
But the US Air Force intends to replace the aging Minuteman III with the new Sentinel system. In the meantime, the Air Force is “committed to ensuring Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent.”
Trump’s Ambitious ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump declared an initial $25 billion appropriation for the “Golden Dome” — a national missile defense system. Trump wants to guard the US against a multitude of threats ranging from intercontinental ballistic missiles to hypersonic and cruise missiles, and also drones. He plans to prepare this defense system within three years, aiming to complete it by the end of his second term.
Despite its potential, the project has a serious set of challenges ahead. A specialist told AFP, “Cost, the defense industrial base, and political will pose the biggest challenges. We can overcome them all, but it will require focus and prioritisation.”
Trump’s vision of a “Golden Dome” represents a new era in America’s strategic defense posture, striking a balance between innovation and ongoing readiness of existing systems such as the Minuteman III.
