The unarmed intercontinental missile traveled nearly 6,800 kilometers, confirming the reliability of America’s nuclear deterrent system.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched early Wednesday by the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
According to a statement from base officials, the test — designated GT-254 — is part of a scheduled series of launches aimed at verifying the accuracy, reliability, and operational readiness of the nation’s long-range missile system.
The missile traveled approximately 6,760 kilometers (4,200 miles) before landing at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, authorities confirmed. The launch occurred around 1:35 a.m. Pacific Time, carrying a test reentry capsule designed to collect data.
The missile was remotely launched by U.S. Air Force personnel aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, part of a command-and-control system ensuring missile operations can continue even if ground systems are compromised.
Officials emphasized that such launches are routine and not a response to current global events. The tests ensure the U.S. nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective — maintaining readiness in case of national defense needs.
