US tests Minuteman III amid Iran war: How the doomsday nuclear missile works, range and other deadly aspects of ICBM

Amid tension with Iran the US miliatry has conducted the test of it nuclear capable ICBM US' Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on March 3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The missile, designated GT 255, was equipped with two test re-entry vehicles that traveled thousands of miles to a pre-determined target at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

According to a press release issued by the Office of Public Affairs of the Air Force Global Strike Command, the launch was scheduled years in advance and was not conducted in response to current world events. It forms part of a long-standing, data-driven test program involving more than 300 similar launches designed to validate the performance, accuracy and reliability of the Minuteman III weapon system. Data collected during the flight will support ongoing and future force development evaluations.

Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said GT 255 enabled assessment of individual missile components and varying mission profiles to enhance overall fleet performance and readiness within the land-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said the test validated the synchronization of the weapon system from launch through deployment of multiple re-entry vehicles, including the ability to deliver independently targeted payloads with precision. As per the press released by the command .

What is a Minuteman III ICBM

The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a silo-launched, surface-attack intercontinental ballistic missile under the control of Air Force Global Strike Command. The missiles are dispersed in hardened silos and linked to underground launch control centers through hardened cables. Two-officer launch crews maintain continuous alert, supported by redundant communication systems that provide direct contact with national leadership. If ground communications are lost, specially configured E-6B airborne launch control center aircraft can assume command and control.

Features of the LGM-30G Minuteman III

• Primary function: Intercontinental ballistic missile
• Contractor: Boeing Co.
• Power plant: Three solid-propellant rocket motors — first stage ATK refurbished M55A1; second stage ATK refurbished SR-19; third stage ATK refurbished SR-73
• Thrust (approximate metric conversion):First stage: about 904 kilonewtons
• Second stage: about 270 kilonewtons
• Third stage: about 156 kilonewtons
• Powered by three solid-propellant rocket motors.
• Range more than 9,650 kilometers.
• Weight: Approximately 36,030 kilograms
• Diameter: 5.5 feet.
• Speed: Approximately 24,000 kilometers per hour at burnout
• Ceiling: Around 1,120 kilometers
• First deployed in June 1970; production ended in December 1978.

Force structure

The current force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles assigned across three missile wings: the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

Development and modernization

The Minuteman program was conceived in the late 1950s and first deployed in the early 1960s. It was introduced as a quick-reacting, inertially guided, solid-fueled missile system designed for high survivability. Over nearly six decades, modernization efforts have expanded targeting options and improved the missile’s accuracy and reliability.

Why did US carry out the LGM-30G Minuteman III test

During the flight, engineers and weapons experts from the 377th Test and Evaluation Group collected performance data to verify that each component functioned as designed. The 377 TEG provides the data to stakeholders including the Department of War, the Department of Energy and US Strategic Command for comprehensive force development evaluation. Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377 TEG, said test launches remain a vital method to verify operational capability and ensure system readiness and reliability.

The launch followed months of preparation involving multiple government partners. Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, provided maintenance support, while operators from across all three missile wings initiated the launch sequence. Davis said the data gathered ensures long-range strike capabilities remain proven and reliable.

The Minuteman III remains on alert status as the Air Force advances plans to replace it with the LGM-35A Sentinel, which will modernize the land-based leg of the US nuclear triad.