MINUTEMAN III TEST LAUNCH SHOWCASES READINESS OF U.S. NUCLEAR FORCE'S SAFE, EFFECTIVE DETERRENT
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Quijas, Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. - A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy aircrew launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with one test re-entry vehicle from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System April 19 at 5:11 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter twenty-first century threats and reassure our allies. Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events.
"Strategic deterrence is the most critical mission in our Air Force and the cornerstone of America's defense," said Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander, Air Force Global Strike Command. "The foundation of our command and our ability to execute our mission is because of Striker Airmen, and I have full and unwavering confidence in their abilities.
"This test launch reinforces what our allies and partners already know - we're always ready to defend the United States with combat ready nuclear forces anytime, anywhere, on order, to conduct global strike."
Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were aboard the U.S. Navy E-6 aircraft to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the ALCS system.
The ICBM's reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. These test launches verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
"We have a unique ability to strike a target anywhere, at any time, should the commander-in-chief deem it vital to our national security and the security of our allies," said Col. Chris Cruise, 377th Test Evaluation Group commander. "An Airborne Launch Control System test validates that capability, ensures we have redundancy in our weapons systems, and showcases the interoperability with our Navy counterparts."
The test launch is a culmination of months of preparation that involve multiple government partners. The Airmen who perform this vital mission are some of the most skillfully trained and educated the Air Force has to offer.
Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, were selected for the task force to support the test launch. The missile bases within Air Fore Global Strike Command have crew members standing alert 24 hours a day, year-round, overseeing the nation's ICBM alert forces.
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command, uses data collected from test launches for continuing force development evaluation. The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States' ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.
Air Force Global Strike Command is a major command with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in the Shreveport-Bossier City community. The command overseas the nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force's entire bomber force, to include B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings, the Long Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems, and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise. Approximately 33,700 professionals are assigned to two Numbered Air Forces, nine wings, two geographically-separated squadrons and one detachment in the continental United States and deployed to locations around the globe. More information can be found at: https://www.afgsc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Article/454593/air-force-global-strike-command-air-forces-strategic-air/.
The LG-35A Sentinel will replace the Minuteman III ICBM with an initial capability of 2029. Until full capability is achieved in the mid-2030s, the Air Force is committed to ensuring Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent.
A Minuteman III strategic missile is scheduled for launch tonight (September 5-6) from Vandenberg SFB, California between 11:47 p.m. and 5:47 a.m. PDT. Following liftoff, the vehicle will probably fly west as it follows a ballistic trajectory to the central Pacific.
If the sky is clear, the launch could be visible to the unaided eye as far way as Tucson, Arizona (possibly farther). As a matter of fact, an astronomer at the Kitt Peak observatory in Arizona once told me would take breaks and watch Minuteman III launches from Vandenberg.
Launch was GT-247GM. As described above, the vehicle carried three dummy warheads, instead of the treaty restricted single warhead.
So I have to ask. If Minuteman 3 deployment still adheres to treaty requirements, why are they testing with three RVs? This is at least the second such test in the past two or three years. Surely there are no plans to revert to MIRVs in the Minuteman 3 fleet going forward? That would seem to be a Very Big Deal if percolating within the Pentagon - and wouldn't even the testing require approval from the Executive Branch?
Looks like another Minuteman 3 failure.
"VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Space Launch Delta 30 safely terminated an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean at 12:06 a.m. Pacific Time Nov. 1, due to an anomaly during a test launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California."
https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3575636/minuteman-iii-test-provides-vital-data-before-termination/
This would be the third Minuteman 3 failure since 2010 in 43 launches, and the second during the past six years over 20 flights, much worse than the traditional failure rate for these missile tests. In addition, a single Minotaur 2+ attempt failed and four orbital Minotaur 1 launches succeeded during the 2010-2023 period. One of the triad legs looks wobbly.
- Ed Kyle
Unlike other unarmed Minuteman III launches that have been a success from Vandenberg, video of the latest launch has not been released.
MISSILE DEFENSE TEST SCHEDULED
Published Dec. 10, 2023
Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A U.S. Missile Defense Agency flight test of a Ground-based Interceptor missile is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 11, between the hours of 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, conducted by Space Launch Delta 30, the Missile Defense Agency, and U.S. Northern Command.
Col. Bryan Titus, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander, is the launch decision authority.
"At Vandenberg, the US Space Force's largest spaceport and test range, the MDA mission is not just a mission, but our mission," said Titus. "Our dedicated Guardians and Airmen take pride in supporting these crucial national security missions, and it is an honor for us to contribute to the safeguarding of our nation's security."
For queries regarding the Ground-based missile mission, contact Missile Defense Agency Public Affairs at [email protected] or (256) 503-7802.
For questions regarding Vandenberg VSFB range operations, contact Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs at 805-606-3595 or [email protected].
Launch confirmed - second stage was very visibly making a course correction.
From SF
Some more photos of launch from VSFB from my Sony RX100 - this was in focus, but, was using the manual settings I'd been using for the boat parade, so noise is a bit higher than it should be.
And some video of missile test
Missile Defense Agency, Boeing-Led Industry Team Conduct Early Release Intercept Test
- Early release configuration provides more time, space, and flexibility to intercept ballistic missile threats to U.S.
- Test demonstrates GMD system's enhanced capability to defend the nation
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency and a Boeing [NYSE:BA]-led industry team successfully intercepted an intermediate-range ballistic missile in space during the latest test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense, or GMD, system. The test validated GMD's Capability Increment 6B configuration, which gives the Missile Defense Operators more time, space, and flexibility to intercept ballistic missile threats to the U.S. homeland.
During the test, a GMD interceptor released a kinetic-force Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, or EKV, during the rocket booster's second stage of its normally three-stage sequence of flight. The threat-representative target was air launched from the Broad Ocean Area and the interceptor was deployed from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
"This successful test is important because it opens up the window of opportunity to intercept threats to our homeland," said Debbie Barnett, vice president of Strategic Missile & Defense Systems. "We're committed to continuously enhancing the GMD system's capability to meet rapidly evolving missile defense needs for the nation."
Boeing has supported the GMD program as lead system integrator since its inception in 1998 through development, test, operations and sustainment. The system has now been on alert for nearly two decades and is an integral part of America's layered ballistic missile defense architecture.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.
Contact
Josh Roth
Boeing Communications
+1 (256) 631-8140
[email protected]
Boeing Media Relations
[email protected]
SOURCE Boeing
A Ground-based Interceptor was launched at 6:38 a.m. PST this morning from Vandenberg SFB, Calif as part of a missile defense test. The following is a Missile Defense Agency news release about the event:
Homeland Missile Defense System Conducts Successful Intercept Of Target
Missile Defense Agency
December 11, 2023
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 30, and the U.S. Space Command Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, conducted a successful intercept today of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by an upgraded Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI). The test demonstrated the ability of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) capability to engage threats faster.
The test employed an upgraded GBI with a Capability Enhanced-II Block 1 Exo-Atmospheric Kill Vehicle. This test was also the first test of a three-stage GBI operating in two-stage mode, which means the third stage was commanded not to ignite and allowed earlier release of the kill vehicle, providing closer range engagements.
The primary objective of the test was to demonstrate the ability of GMD to engage a target in the expanded engagement space made possible by the GBI in two-stage mode.
This test was also the first integrated GMD flight test using sensor data from the Army Navy/ Transportable Radar Surveillance Model-2 Forward Based Mode with and Sea-Based X-Band radar with upgrades.
This new capability, known as a 2-/3-Stage selectable GBI, will be deployed in the next GMD capability delivery to the Warfighter. This capability gives the Warfighter greater flexibility in executing the defense of the homeland while significantly expanding the battlespace for successful threat engagement.
"This successful intercept utilizing the 2-/3-Stage selectable Ground Based Interceptor capability in 2-stage mode provides the Warfighter with increased battlespace that supports additional shot opportunities to negate an incoming threat missile," said MDA Director Lieutenant General Heath Collins. "The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we continue to provide enhanced capabilities for our existing Ground Based Interceptor fleet while we rapidly design and deliver the leap-ahead technology of the Next Generation Interceptor."
"Today's test highlights U.S. Northern Command's close coordination and collaboration with the Missile Defense Agency and demonstrates our continued commitment to countering ballistic missile threats to the homeland," said Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. "The Ground-Based Interceptor is an important effector in a globally-integrated system that connects sensors to decision makers to provide the nation's senior leaders with options and time. Today's test bolsters strategic stability in a dynamic security environment."
The GMD element of the Missile Defense System defends the U.S. homeland against ballistic missile threats from rogue Nations such as North Korea and Iran. It provides the Commander, USNORTHCOM the capability to engage and destroy intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile threats to the U.S. homeland. Though the United States maintains the right to defend itself against attacks from any source, GMD is neither intended for, nor capable of, defeating large and sophisticated ICBM, air-, or sea-launched ballistic missile threats from Russia and the People's Republic of China. The United States relies on strategic deterrence to address those threats.
The mission of the Missile Defense Agency is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies and friends from limited ballistic missile attacks of all ranges in all phases of flight.
Additional information about all elements of the ballistic missile defense system can be found at www.mda.mil.
The threat-representative target was air-launched from the Broad Ocean Area and the interceptor was deployed from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
"This successful test is important because it opens up the window of opportunity to intercept threats to our homeland," said Debbie Barnett, vice president of Strategic Missile & Defense Systems. "We're committed to continuously enhancing the GMD system's capability to meet rapidly evolving missile defense needs for the nation."
A Ground-based Interceptor was launched at 6:38 a.m. PST this morning from Vandenberg SFB, Calif as part of a missile defense test. The following is a Missile Defense Agency news release about the event:Quote
Homeland Missile Defense System Conducts Successful Intercept Of Target
Missile Defense Agency
December 11, 2023
GMD is neither intended for, nor capable of, defeating large and sophisticated ICBM, air-, or sea-launched ballistic missile threats from Russia and the People's Republic of China. The United States relies on strategic deterrence to address those threats.
The mission of the Missile Defense Agency is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from limited ballistic missile attacks of all ranges in all phases of flight.
So does this mean Vandenberg and perhaps other military sites along our shoreline could be set up for this capability? Is this part of the Aegis Combat System upgraded with GMD? or something new/similar that is land-based? That harkens to the old Nike missile sites from the early Cold War years.