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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US test fires Minuteman III nuclear missile a day after Donald Trump announced Golden Dome
A day after President Donald Trump announced the plan to develop and deploy a massive anti-missile defense system named Golden Dome to protect the entire US, the country demonstrated its readiness to launch nuclear-tipped projectile capable of hitting targets several thousand miles away. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was test launched as part of the nuclear deterrent demonstration by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen. The Minuteman III was not armed but equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle and fired from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base , California on May 21 at 12:01 am Pacific Time. The ICBM's reentry vehicle flew nearly 4,200 miles (6759 kilometers) and splashed in the Pacific Ocean in US Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located within Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Kwajalein Atoll. 'This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad. This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who supports them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies,' said General Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command in a press release following the test firing. Also Read: Trump's Golden Dome, the future of defence or a Star Wars fantasy in space? US's one and only dedicated ICBM test organization, Vandenberg's 377th Test and Evaluation Group, oversaw the test launch. The press release quoted the 377th Test and Evaluation Group commander Colonel Dustin Harmon applauding the missile test. Live Events 'Minuteman III remains the bedrock of our nation's strategic deterrent and the unwavering dedication of the Airmen who ensure its readiness are a testament to its inherent lethality. Their expertise and commitment are vital to maintaining this credible force for peace. As we look to the future, these same Airmen are paving the way for the Sentinel ICBM, ensuring a seamless transition to this next-generation capability and the continued security of our nation," said Col. Harmon. Minuteman III ICBM details In service since 1970, Minuteman III can carry a single nuclear warhead and can hit a target 8,700 miles (14,000 km) away. It is 18.3 meters longs and weighs 36,030 kilograms. The deadly missile reaches a speed of Mach 23 (17,500 mph; 28,200 km/h) in the terminal phase while hitting the target. The thermonuclear warhead it carries can be detonate either on contact with the target or even be programmed to airburst above the same to impact a larger area. President Trump had on May 20 announced the multi-billion dollar Golden Dome missile shield which would use space-based assets along with land and sea based radars to track and intercept enemy missiles launched at targets in the US. The defensive shield project will be led by Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael A. Guetlein. However, a major component of the Golden Dome is the space-based interceptors, a technology which is yet to be fully developed and mastered.
News18
22-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
US Launches Doomsday Minuteman III Nuclear-Capable Missile
Last Updated: Minuteman III Launch: The US Air Force has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the Minuteman III "remains a viable deterrent". The US Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, in what officials described as a 'doomsday missile test." The launch was captured on video and comes as Washington reaffirms the strength of its nuclear deterrent. What Is Minuteman III? The Minuteman III, a nuclear-capable missile, traveled approximately 4,200 miles at a speed exceeding 15,000 miles per hour, reaching the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. 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.… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 21, 2025 The Minuteman III is equipped with a single Mark-21 high-fidelity re-entry vehicle, which would typically carry a nuclear payload in an operational scenario. The missile has undergone numerous tests in the past, including one just before Donald Trump declared his presidential victory in November 2024. The Minuteman program, dating back to the 1970s, is slated for replacement by the Sentinel system. The Air Force has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the Minuteman III 'remains a viable deterrent" until the Sentinel achieves full operational capability. General Thomas Bussiere, commander of the US Global Strike Command, emphasized the significance of the test, saying, 'This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad." He further praised the personnel who maintain this critical capability, adding, 'This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who supports them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies." Why Minuteman III Is Crucial? The test coincides with US President Donald Trump's recent announcement of initial $25 billion funding for 'Golden Dome," a proposed nationwide missile defense system. TDonald rump envisions a comprehensive system capable of defending against a wide range of threats, from ICBMs to hypersonic and cruise missiles and drones, with an eventual cost estimated at $175 billion. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
