The U.S. military showcased its nuclear strength by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Minuteman III. This test occurred on May 21 at 3:01 AM (ET), which is 12:31 PM Indian Standard Time.
The missile was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and traveled a striking distance of 4,200 miles (6,760 kilometers) to reach the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands' Kwajalein Atoll.
The test had been scheduled months in advance by the U.S. Space Force and was not influenced by current global events. The aim was to display America's nuclear weapons capabilities and preparedness. The U.S. Air Force's Global Strike Command conducted the test with support from the 90th Missile Wing in Wyoming and the 341st Missile Wing in Montana.
Source: aajtak
What is the Minuteman III Missile?
The Minuteman III is a unique missile that has been in service since 1970 and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. However, this test was conducted without any warheads. It can travel over 5,500 kilometers and is powered by a rocket engine. The missile exits the Earth's atmosphere and re-enters from above. Previously, it could carry multiple nuclear warheads, but since 2014, due to arms reduction treaties, this is no longer the case.
America's Nuclear Might
The United States' nuclear arsenal is defined by a triad, known as the Nuclear Triad, which includes:
Land-based missiles: such as the Minuteman III
Submarine-launched missiles: fired from the seas
Air-launched weapons: deployed from aircraft
General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of the Global Strike Command, stated that this test exemplifies U.S. nuclear strength and readiness. Our troops remain ever-prepared to defend the nation and its allies.
Source: aajtak
Future Plans
By 2030, the Minuteman III will be replaced with a new missile called the LGM-35 Sentinel, currently being developed by Northrop Grumman. Innovation continues with the development of extremely fast (hypersonic) missiles, capable of changing course on their way to targets, making them hard to intercept.
