The Air Force informs that the US launched a test of the Intercontinental Mining III Ballistic missile on Wednesday.
“A joint team of aviators of the Air Force Global Attack Command launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Minuteman III, unarmed, equipped with a single re-entry vehicle of high fidelity Mark-21, on May 21 at 12:01 a.m., Pacific time, from the base of the Vandenberg, California space force,” says the statement.
According to the agency, “this test launch is part of the routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the nuclear disjion of the United States remains safe, reliable and effective” in the face of “the threats of the 21st century” and to reassure its allies. “With more than 300 similar tests carried out in the past, this test is part of the nation’s continuous commitment to maintain a credible deterrence and does not constitute an answer to current world events,” he added.
“The Minuteman III remains the cornerstone of the strategic deterrence of our nation, and the unwavering dedication of aviators who guarantee their preparation is proof of their inherent lethality,” said Colonel Dustin Harmon, commander of 377.º Testing and Evaluation Group. «His experience and commitment are vital to maintain this credible strength for peace. Looking ahead, these same aviators are raising the way for the Intercontinental Sentinel ballistic missile, guaranteeing a fluid transition to this new generation capacity and the continuous security of our nation, ”he added.
In this context, from the agency they detailed that the LG-35A Sentinel-also known as Earth-based strategic deterrence (GBSD)-will replace Minuteman III, and “until its complete capacity is achieved,” the Air Force is committed to ensuring that this “remains an element of viable deterrence.”
For his part, General Thomas Bussiere, commander of the Global Air Force Attack Command, commented that the action “underlines the strength of the country’s nuclear deterrence and the preparation of the intercontinental ballistic missile component of the triad.” “This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated aviators – very miles, defenders, helicopter operators and the equipment that support them – that guarantee the security of the country and its allies,” he said.
The weapon traveled approximately 6,875 kilometers to the Ronald Reagan Balistic Missile Testing site of the United States Space and Army Missile Command, located in the Kwajalein Atolón, on the Marshall Islands.
The entity explained that in the test area metric and high -fidelity firm radars, as well as optical sensors and telemetry. The specialists gathered radar, optical and telemetric data in the terminal phase of the flight to evaluate system performance.
“The Reagan test site is an indispensable national resource, exceptionally equipped to support crucial evidence of the offensive and defensive systems of our nation, including all Gloria’s travel missions,” said Casey Rumfelt, director of the Tire Field. “Its specialized instrumentation and its strategic location are unmatched worldwide, which guarantees the effectiveness of the strategic deterrence of our nation,” he said.
The intercontinental ballistic missile testing program demonstrates the operational capacity of Minuteman III and guarantees the ability of the North American country to “maintain solid and credible nuclear deterrence as a key element of American national security and its allies.” With RT