US Minuteman III missile takes flight in crucial nuclear readiness test

The U.S. military carried out a routine yet significant test on Wednesday, May 21, launching an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The launch took place just after midnight Pacific Time — precisely at 12:01 a.m., the base announced on its X page, per Caliber.Az.

Vandenberg Guardians and Airmen supported an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM on May 21 at 12:01 a.m. PT. This test validates the safety and readiness of the weapon system. #MinutemanIII #GT253 pic.twitter.com/7PFFIfhqwo

— Vandenberg Space Force Base (@SLDelta30) May 21, 2025

According to the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, these test launches serve a critical purpose: to showcase the readiness and reliability of America’s nuclear forces, reinforcing confidence in the nation’s formidable nuclear deterrent capabilities.

To ensure safety during the missile’s flight, several maritime zones in the Pacific Ocean were temporarily closed. The restricted areas spanned the missile’s entire trajectory from Vandenberg Space Force Base all the way to its designated target near the U.S. Pacific test range by the remote Kwajalein Atoll, as outlined in the international NAVAREA XII 283/25 warning issued to mariners.

Covering an impressive distance of approximately 6,800 kilometres, this launch was part of the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to testing its ageing but crucial nuclear arsenal.

Minuteman III missiles have been the backbone of U.S. strategic defence since 1970, and periodic test firings like this one, most recently conducted in November 2024, ensure the system’s continued effectiveness.

Meanwhile, on the modernisation front, the Pentagon recently announced a major milestone: the production of the first modernised serial version of the powerful B61 nuclear warhead, version 61-13, designed for use in advanced aerial bombs.

However, the ageing Minuteman III system isn’t without its challenges. The Pentagon revealed that these missiles will remain in service “longer than originally expected,” as efforts to develop their planned successor, the three-stage Sentinel ICBM, have hit significant hurdles. Budget overruns for the Sentinel program have soared by 81% compared to initial estimates, highlighting the complexities involved in upgrading the nation’s strategic nuclear forces.

By Tamilla Hasanova