Latest news with #LGM-30GMinutemanIII
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US tests launch of nuclear-capable ICBM Minuteman III in show of force
The U.S. Air Force conducted a routine launch of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on Wednesday morning, the military said. The LGM-30G Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, the Air Force said. The unarmed missile, equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle, traveled 15,000 mph to a test range near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, located about 4,200 miles from the launch site, the military said. "This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad," Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said in a statement. Trump Unveils 'Golden Dome' Missile Shield, Blindsides Key Senators The "triad" refers to the three different types of nuclear weapons delivery systems that the U.S. military can use to launch nuclear attacks. The systems are land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable strategic bombers. Read On The Fox News App The Air Force said the test was routine and "not a response to current world events," adding that more than 300 similar tests have been conducted in the past. Iran's Khamenei Says Americans Should Avoid Talking 'Nonsense' In Nuke Talks "This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring our allies," the Air Force said. The Minuteman weapon system is a program that first became operational in the early 1970s, and has received enhancements over the course of nearly 60 years, the military said. The Air Force now plans to replace the aging Minuteman with the modernized Sentinel article source: US tests launch of nuclear-capable ICBM Minuteman III in show of force
India.com
22-05-2025
- Science
- India.com
World's most powerful nuclear missile tested by US, has alarming strike range, capable of global destruction, hard to intercept, it is called…, can travel at speed of…
The United States has once again tested its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. The launch was carried out on May 21 by a team from the US Air Force Global Strike Command at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. What makes this test significant is that the missile was equipped with a single Mk-21 high-fidelity reentry vehicle. This upgrade is expected to significantly boost America's nuclear strike capabilities. The Minuteman III missile can hit targets anywhere in the world and is extremely hard to intercept, even with advanced air defense systems. US air force issues statement In a statement, the US Air Force explained that Vandenberg Space Force Base is the primary testing ground for the deterrence capabilities of the Air Force's Global Strike Command. They clarified that the missile test was part of routine operations and not a response to any current global events. The statement clarified that over 300 similar tests have been conducted in the past. This latest launch was meant to demonstrate that the US nuclear deterrent remains secure, reliable, and capable of addressing modern-day threats while reassuring allies of its strength. US calls missile test essential for national security General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, emphasized the importance of the recent ICBM test, saying, 'This launch highlights the readiness of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad.' He credited the dedicated team of Airmen including missile operators, defenders, helicopter crews, and their support teams for maintaining this powerful security system that ensures the safety of the U.S. and its allies. The test was overseen by the 377th Test and Evaluation Group at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This unit is the country's only dedicated ICBM testing organization, conducting professional evaluations that assess both current and future capabilities of America's land-based missile force. About the Minuteman III Missile The full name of the missile is LGM-30G Minuteman III. Here's what the designation stands for: L = Launched from a silo G = Ground attack capability M = Guided missile 30 = Part of the Minuteman missile series G (at the end) = Refers to the current Minuteman-III variant This missile is powered by three solid-fuel rocket motors: Stage 1: ATK M55A1 Stage 2: ATK SR-19 Stage 3: ATK SR-73 The total weight of the Minuteman III is approximately 36,030 kilograms. This powerful weapon can travel thousands of kilometers and is a key part of the US nuclear deterrent, designed to remain effective against 21st-century threats. Minuteman III can strike targets up to 10,000 km away The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has an impressive range of up to 10,000 kilometers, allowing it to strike targets across the globe. It can travel at a staggering speed of 24,000 kilometers per hour. One of its most powerful features is its ability to carry up to three nuclear warheads, which means it can hit three different targets in a single launch. Each Minuteman III missile costs around USD 7 million, and the United States currently has about 530 active units in its arsenal. The missile is developed and manufactured by Boeing Defense, one of America's leading aerospace and defense companies.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Video: US tests Minuteman III nuclear-capable missile that can strike anywhere
In a show of force, the US launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- capable of carrying nuclear warheads and targeting locations anywhere in the world -- from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, as part of the country's regular doomsday missile ICBM travelled approximately 6,760 kilometers, according to reports. The video of the launch was released by the United State Air Force. advertisementThe missile reportedly travelled at a speed of over 24,140 kilometers per hour and reached the US Army Space and Missile Defence Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defence Test Site in the Marshall Islands, near Australia's northeastern coast. Following the test, the US Global Strike Command issued a statement, saying: "This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad."According to the US's Department of Defence, the country's triad program comprises of weapons and platforms to act as a deterrent from any potential attack "from our adversaries" on land, air and part of the triad program, US has "400 on-alert, combat-ready LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles" that could be launched from Department of Defence further states that ballistics missile submarines or "boomers" are deployed to deter any attack from the sea while on air, "America's bomber fleet provides a range of both conventional and nuclear response options."The Air Force clarified that the missile test was "not a response to current world events," calling it a routine test as part of the 1970-era Minuteman III Watch
