What is the Minuteman III missile that the US just launched?

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22-05-2025

The US Air Force successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III missile from California, showcasing the strength of its land-based nuclear deterrent. As America transitions to the next-generation Sentinel ICBM, this test was aimed at highlighting the continued relevance of the ageing Minuteman III system read more
An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 12:01 Pacific Time May 21, 2025, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, US. Image/US Air Force
The United States successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the early hours of May 21, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The test, which forms part of a long-standing series of routine operations, was aimed at showcasing America's continued reliance on and maintenance of its nuclear deterrence triad amid ongoing preparations to introduce the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.
The Minuteman III, a key component of US strategic defence, has long served as the sole land-based missile in the nation's nuclear triad.
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The recent launch was executed at 12:01 am Pacific Time by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command personnel.
The unarmed missile, fitted with a high-fidelity Mark-21 reentry vehicle, was fired from Vandenberg and flew approximately 4,200 miles before reaching its target at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defence Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
AFGSC Airmen & Guardians supported an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM on May 21 at 12:01 am PT. This test validates the safety & readiness of the weapon system.
Read here: https://t.co/xIWxupsreP@US_STRATCOM | @usairforce | @SpaceForceDoD | @ArmySMDC pic.twitter.com/CGV7ciUUiu — Air Force Global Strike Command (@AFGlobalStrike) May 21, 2025
According to US General Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, 'This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad.'
He added, 'This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who support them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies.'
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These tests are conducted as part of routine assurance measures and are not tied to any particular global incident. With over 300 similar launches conducted to date, they serve to validate the operational capability, security and accuracy of the US nuclear missile systems.
What we know about Minuteman III
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile deployed by the US Air Force Global Strike Command. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Minuteman III was the first missile in the US arsenal to feature multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
Originally capable of carrying three warheads, current configurations carry a single warhead, in compliance with arms control agreements.
The missile operates using a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket engine, allowing for rapid launch readiness and reduced maintenance complexity compared to older liquid-fuel designs.
This technological advancement enabled Minuteman missiles to be kept in a constant state of alert, a critical capability during the Cold War and beyond.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile streaks through the sky of Vandenberg in California, US, August 25, 2005. File Image/Reuters
With a maximum range of approximately 13,000 kilometres, the Minuteman III is capable of reaching targets across continents. It stands 18.2 metres tall, has a diameter of 1.85 metres, and weighs over 34,000 kilograms at launch.
Its reentry vehicles, particularly the Mark 21 variant, have yield estimates ranging between 300 and 475 kilotonnes and are guided by an advanced inertial navigation system with an accuracy of around 120 metres circular error probable (CEP).
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Each missile is housed in a hardened underground silo, connected to a launch control center via reinforced cables. Around-the-clock monitoring is conducted by dual-officer crews who maintain constant alert status.
The system also includes redundant communication pathways, including the E-6B airborne launch control centers, which can assume control of missiles in the event of disrupted ground communications.
About the recent missile launch
The Western Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as the primary hub for ICBM test launches. The operation was supervised by the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, the only dedicated US ICBM testing unit.
US Colonel Dustin Harmon, who commands the group, highlighted the importance of the missile and the people who maintain it: '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.'
Support also came from missile wings stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Teams from these wings provided technical assistance and helped with system maintenance ahead of the launch.
At the other end of the test, the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands played a key role in collecting radar, optical, and telemetry data. These data sets were instrumental in evaluating the missile's performance during its terminal flight phase.
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US Army Lt. Col. Casey Rumfelt, range director at Reagan Test Site, highlighted its global relevance: 'Reagan Test Site is an indispensable national asset, uniquely equipped to support critical tests of our nation's offensive and defensive systems, including all Glory Trip missions.'
What will replace the Minuteman III
The Minuteman III forms one leg of the US nuclear triad, alongside the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched nuclear weapons aboard strategic bombers.
This triad ensures that the United States retains the ability to respond to a nuclear attack from multiple platforms, enhancing deterrence through survivability and redundancy.
Although the Minuteman III has performed reliably for over five decades, it is now nearing the end of its service life.
The US Air Force plans to replace it with the LGM-35A Sentinel as part of the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) programme. The Sentinel is expected to achieve initial operational capability by 2029, with a complete transition projected through the 2030s.
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During the interim, the US continues to invest in extending the Minuteman III's viability. Between 2002 and 2012, nearly $7 billion was allocated for upgrades to extend the missile's service life to 2030.
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The Air Force currently maintains about 450 Minuteman III missiles, distributed across missile fields in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, with around 150 missiles per location.
Col. Harmon stated, '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.'
A look at the history of Minuteman series
The Minuteman series originated in the 1950s, with the goal of developing a missile system that could be launched at a moment's notice.
Unlike earlier liquid-fuelled rockets that required lengthy fuelling procedures and were vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes, the Minuteman's solid-fuel design enabled it to remain launch-ready for extended periods.
The first Minuteman missile entered service in 1962 as a second-strike deterrent. Over time, evolving threats and technological developments shifted the missile's role from targeting cities to striking hardened military assets such as enemy missile silos.
With the retirement of the LGM-118 Peacekeeper missile in 2005, the Minuteman III became the only land-based ICBM in active US service.
The US Strategic Command, in partnership with the Department of Defence and the Department of Energy, continues to use data from these test launches to guide force development and modernisation efforts.
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Although modifications under treaties like START and New START have reduced the number of warheads per missile, the Minuteman III's design allows for potential reconfiguration should the global security landscape demand it.
With inputs from agencies