America Air Drive has carried out a profitable check launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Area Drive Base in California, assessing the reliability and readiness of America’s nuclear deterrent.
Based on U.S. Air Drive World Strike Command, the launch, designated GT 254, was designed to validate the missile system’s accuracy and operational efficiency because the service transitions to the subsequent technology LGM-35A Sentinel. The command mentioned the train shaped a part of a long-running collection of routine exams used to make sure that the intercontinental ballistic missile power stays absolutely succesful.
Lt Col Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Take a look at Squadron, mentioned the trial was “a complete evaluation to confirm and validate the ICBM system’s capability to carry out its important mission.”
The launch sequence was initiated remotely from a US Navy E-6B Mercury plane utilizing the Airborne Launch Management System, which serves as a backup command and management technique for the missile power.
The unarmed re-entry car travelled about 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Protection Take a look at Web site at Kwajalein Atoll within the Marshall Islands, the place telemetry and optical sensors recorded efficiency knowledge.
Col Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Take a look at and Analysis Group, mentioned the trial “validated the reliability, adaptability, and modularity of the weapon system,” noting that the information gathered would inform future intercontinental ballistic missile growth and sustainment.
Air Drive World Strike Command confirmed that personnel from all three of its missile wings took half within the train, supported by maintainers from F.E. Warren Air Drive Base in Wyoming. The command mentioned the occasion demonstrated the persevering with integrity of the Minuteman III fleet as modernisation gathers tempo.
Gen S. L. Davis, commander of Air Drive World Strike Command, added: “As we modernise to the Sentinel weapon system, we should proceed to keep up the readiness of the prevailing Minuteman III fleet. GT 254 helps fulfil that dedication, guaranteeing its continued accuracy and reliability.”