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February 11, 2023
On February 9, the U.S. Air Force successfully test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in southern California. The missile flew roughly 6,800 km before splashing near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
August 15, 2021
On August 11, the U.S. Air Force test-launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in southern California. The test, designated Glory Trip-239, was successful with a test reentry vehicle landing 6,700 km downrange near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. USAF officials said the launch was “not a...
May 6, 2021
On May 5, the U.S. Air Force aborted a planned LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch. According to Air Force Global Strike Command, “the missile computer detected a fault in the sequence of checks it does prior to launching. Upon detection of this fault, it shut itself down.” The failed test comes...
March 1, 2021
On February 23, the U.S. Air Force test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In a press release, the Air Force stated the launch demonstrated the United States’ “ability to provide safe, secure range operations…while maintaining a continuous state of readiness.” The United States previously tested...
November 2, 2020
On October 29, the U.S. Air Force test launched a Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California. In a press release, the Air Force stated that the test “verifi[ed] the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system,” which travelled 6,700 km to Kawajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. The Air...
September 2, 2020
On September 2, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The missile traveled approximately 6,760 km to its target in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. The USAF last test fired the Minuteman III in August 2020. Related Links: Unarmed Minuteman III test...
August 4, 2020
On August 4, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The missile was equipped with three test reentry vehicles and traveled about 6,760 km to its target in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. The USAF last test fired the Minuteman III in...
February 5, 2020
On February 5, the U.S. Air Force test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California. Designated FTU-2, the flight test validated a new explosive fuze for the Minuteman’s W87 nuclear warhead. FTU-2 is the second of four planned tests of the fuze, with the last...
October 3, 2019
On October 2, the U.S. Air Force tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In a news release, the USAF stated that the ICBM flew over 6,700 km, landing in waters near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The launch was not scheduled in response to recent...
July 25, 2019
On July 25, Boeing announced it would withdraw its bid to produce the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), a system intended to replace the Air Force’s Minuteman III ICBMs. In a statement, Boeing said “the current acquisition approach does not provide a level playing field for fair competition,” leaving Northrop Grumman as the sole bidder for...