US to Test-Fire Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
This photo provided by the US Air Force shows the launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile during a developmental test
On May 20, the United States will conduct an unarmed missile test, with liftoff scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.»The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system,» the statement from Vandenberg base indicates.With a range of 12,000 kilometers, the Minuteman III is the only silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the United States’ strategic nuclear arsenal. US Strategic Command has reiterated that these tests are routine and pre-scheduled, with no connection to the current international situation.The last Minuteman III test occurred on March 4. In total, the US maintains 400 such missiles, 200 of which are each equipped with a single nuclear warhead.
AmericasUS to Return to Nuclear Tests on Equal Basis, Without Atmospheric Explosions — State Dept.17 February, 16:36 GMT
