The unarmed missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of a routine evaluation programme, according to the United States Space Force.
BY PC Bureau
March 5, 20226
As fighting in the Middle East entered its sixth day, the United States conducted a test launch of its nuclear-capable LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, a key component of Americaās strategic nuclear deterrent.
Late Tuesday night, the missile was launched by the Air Force Global Strike Command from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. According to a statement from the United States Space Force, the unarmed missile carried two test re-entry vehicles and was part of a routine evaluation programme.
The test vehicle, identified as GT-255, travelled thousands of miles before striking its designated impact zone near the Marshall Islands in the west-central Pacific Ocean.
Officials said the launch was not connected to the ongoing war involving Iran and Israel, stressing that such tests are conducted regularly to verify the reliability and readiness of the United Statesā land-based nuclear arsenal.
āGT-255 allowed us to assess the performance of individual components of the missile system,ā said Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. āBy continually evaluating different mission profiles, we are able to strengthen the performance of the entire ICBM fleet and maintain maximum readiness for the land-based leg of the nationās nuclear triad.ā
The Minuteman III missile has a range of about 6,000 miles and can travel at speeds exceeding 15,000 miles per hour, enabling it to reach targets across continents within minutes. It remains one of the most critical elements of the US nuclear deterrence strategy.
According to the Space Force, Tuesdayās launch was part of a long-running programme that has included more than 300 similar tests over several decades to ensure the accuracy, reliability and effectiveness of the countryās land-based nuclear forces. The previous test of the Minuteman III system took place in November 2025.
US Tests Minuteman III MissilešØ
šThe US test-launched a Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California around 11 p.m. local time
š£Capable of carrying nuclear warheads 20x stronger than Hiroshimaās bomb (test missile was unarmed) pic.twitter.com/qpJ5EAbokQā DeFi Phantom (@thedefiphantomX) March 5, 2026
War Enters Sixth Day
Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East continued to escalate. Iran fired a new wave of missiles toward Israel on Thursday, sending millions of people rushing to bomb shelters as air raid sirens sounded across several cities.
In Washington, efforts to curb the expanding US military campaign also stalled in the United States Senate. Lawmakers voted down a resolution that sought to halt the air campaign against Iran and require explicit congressional approval for further military action.
READ:Ā India Rejects Claim That US is Using Its Ports to Strike Iran
The measure failed 53ā47, largely along party lines, allowing President Donald Trump to continue military operations as the conflict spreads across the region.
With missile exchanges intensifying, naval confrontations expanding and diplomatic efforts showing little progress, the war appears far from over ā even as the United States continues to demonstrate the readiness of its strategic deterrent forces.
