US Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test

Recently US Air Force Global Strike Command successfully test-fired Minuteman III (Minuteman III ICBM) missile equipped with three test re-entry vehicles. The missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Key Facts

  • The Minuteman III missile is part of the Strategic Deterrence Force under the US Air Force Global Strike Command.
  • Its full name is LGM-30G Minuteman-III. The L in LGM stands for Silo Launch Missile, G stands for Ground Attack and M stands for Guided Missile.
  • It is one of America’s most powerful missiles capable of carrying out a nuclear attack.
  • The purpose of this test was to verify the safety, security, effectiveness and readiness of the weapon system.
  • Minuteman III missile can hit a range of more than 10000 km.
  • The US also test-fired the Minuteman-3 missile on 16 August. However, preparations were made to conduct its second test 12 days ago, but it was postponed due to China-Taiwan tensions.

About Minuteman III

The program was started in 1966. The missile is armed with 170 kilo tons of TNT. Airborne Launch Control System is a part of the missile. When Minuteman was first discovered the Soviet had no target to counter it. However, they gained pace after a few years. The airborne launch system offers a survivable launch capability to the US air force.


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