The US Air Force conducted a routine test of its nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from California, highlighting the nation's nuclear deterrent capability. Though the Air Force plans to replace the aging Minuteman program with the Sentinel system, delays point towards a possible transition extension until 2050. Despite these setbacks, the Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to the Minuteman III as a vital deterrent, maintaining that the test was not a reaction to current global events but a demonstration of readiness.
This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad.
The U.S.'s nuclear triad comprises nuclear-armed bombers, stealthy submarines carrying Polaris nuclear ICBMs, and roughly 400 land-based Minuteman III missiles.
Collection
[
|
...
]