Edhat Staff
By the edhat staff
Vandenberg Space Force Base is preparing for a scheduled test launch of a Minuteman III missile, equipped with a simulated warhead. The upcoming test aims to validate and verify the readiness, effectiveness, and accuracy of the three-stage weapon system.
According to Vandenberg officials, the launch is set to occur between 11:47 p.m. on Tuesday and 5:47 a.m. on Wednesday, within a six-hour launch window. This timeframe allows for any potential delays caused by technical issues or unfavorable weather conditions at Vandenberg or along the missile’s intended path.
Following liftoff from an underground silo in North Base, the military will track the Minuteman III missile’s warhead as it travels towards a predetermined target, typically located in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Vandenberg officials emphasized that this test is routine and was scheduled years in advance. In compliance with international agreements, including The Hague Code of Conduct, the United States has provided a pre-launch notification to ensure that the test is not mistaken for an actual attack. The Russian government has been alerted as required under treaties.
To assess the readiness and reliability of nuclear crews and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the Air Force Global Strike Command conducts three to four Minuteman tests each year.
Currently, approximately 400 Minuteman III missiles are on alert near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana; Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota; and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
As the Vandenberg Space Force Base prepares for the Minuteman III missile test, observers will be closely monitoring the launch and its subsequent trajectory. This demonstration serves as an essential evaluation of the United States’ nuclear capabilities and highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain the readiness of its armed forces.
