A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Wednesday at 12:03 a.m.
According to Air Force Global Strike Command, the purpose of the ICBM test launch program was to verify the safety, security, effectiveness and readiness of the weapon system.
The test launch used an unarmed missile that traveled over 4,000 miles, at a speed of more than 15,000 mph.
Col. Kris Barcomb, the launch decision authority, said, “Our outstanding Airmen and space professionals continue to showcase flawless execution and teamwork between the 30th Space Wing and the 576th Flight Test Squadron. This test launch represents another successful demonstration of our nation’s capability and underscores the fact that our nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, reliable, effective and ready to defend the United States and our allies.”
The test comes nearly a month after the last unarmed Minuteman III launched from the base.
