America to test nuclear missile launch system tonight

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command is set to conduct an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The launch window is scheduled to open at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on November 5, extending until 5:01 a.m. on November 6.

According to the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, this test aims to demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the U.S. nuclear forces, ensuring confidence in the nation’s nuclear deterrent.

This scheduled launch, they say, continues the ICBM test program’s routine mission of verifying the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the Minuteman III weapon system.

The U.S. Air Force noted that this particular test has been planned years in advance, aligning with the U.S. approach to maintaining a safe, effective, and reliable nuclear arsenal. In line with standard protocols, the U.S. provided a pre-launch notification to the Russian government and other international parties, meeting bilateral obligations and adhering to the Hague Code of Conduct, which promotes transparency in missile launches among member nations.

This upcoming test, they added, serves as a regular demonstration of the Minuteman III’s role in supporting the United States’ commitment to strategic deterrence.

Minuteman III

The LGM-30 Minuteman III is a U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), deployed as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command since 1970. It is the third iteration in the Minuteman series and was the first to incorporate multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), allowing it to carry up to three W62 warheads, each with a yield of 170 kilotons.

The missile includes a post-boost-stage, or “bus,” which features a Rocketdyne RS-14 liquid-fuel propulsion system. This stage provides fine trajectory adjustments, enabling the precise deployment of warheads and decoys. Its third stage features thrust termination ports to ensure accurate targeting, a development that allows for controlled deceleration and increased accuracy at the end of its flight.

Over its operational life, the Minuteman III has undergone several upgrades, including the Guidance Replacement Program, which replaced the original inertial guidance system with the NS50 Missile Guidance Set, featuring radiation-resistant semiconductor memory for enhanced accuracy. Additionally, the Propulsion Replacement Program, completed in 2009, replaced aging solid-fuel boosters to maintain the missile’s performance standards.

The missile’s reentry vehicles have also been improved. In 1979, some Minuteman III missiles were retrofitted with higher-yield W78 warheads, and the Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle (SERV) program in 2005 introduced the W87 warhead. The W87 incorporates safety features like insensitive high explosives and enhanced fuzing options, which improve operational safety and targeting flexibility.

Deployed across the United States, Minuteman III missiles are stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Regular test launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base verify missile readiness, accuracy, and reliability, and provide data to support maintenance. The Minuteman III is planned for replacement by the LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM in the 2030s.