The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has completed a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on November 5, 2025, to verify the readiness and accuracy of the nation's land-based nuclear deterrent.
Designated Glory Trip 254 (GT 254), the test involved a single missile that traveled thousands of miles over the Pacific Ocean. The operation is part of a routine schedule designed to collect data and ensure the continued reliability of the aging but critical weapon system.
Key Takeaways
- An unarmed Minuteman III ICBM was launched from Vandenberg SFB on November 5, 2025.
- The test, GT 254, was conducted to validate the missile system's reliability and accuracy.
- The launch was uniquely initiated by an Airborne Launch Control System aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft.
- The missile's reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to a test site in the Marshall Islands.
- These tests are critical for maintaining the current ICBM fleet as the U.S. military prepares to transition to the new LGM-35A Sentinel system.
A Test of Readiness and Reliability
The primary objective of the GT 254 mission was to demonstrate the operational capability of the Minuteman III system. Officials confirmed the test was planned well in advance and is not a response to any specific world events. These launches provide crucial data for military planners and engineers.
“GT 254 is not just a launch – it's a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system's ability to perform its critical mission,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, which oversees the tests. The squadron is responsible for ensuring every aspect of the launch meets rigorous standards.
Mission Profile: GT 254
- Missile: LGM-30G Minuteman III
- Payload: Unarmed Test Reentry Vehicle
- Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Impact Site: Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
- Distance Traveled: Approx. 4,200 miles (6,760 km)
The data gathered during the missile's flight is essential for assessing its performance. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system,” Lt. Col. Wray added.
Unique Launch Command from the Air
A notable feature of this test was the method of launch initiation. A team from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, operating from a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, sent the launch commands. This tested the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS), a critical backup system designed to ensure command and control of the ICBM force remains intact even if ground-based launch centers are compromised.
The successful use of the ALCS demonstrates a key layer of redundancy in the nation's nuclear command structure. It confirms that the ICBM force can be deployed under various challenging scenarios, ensuring a credible deterrent.
The operation involved a wide range of personnel. Airmen from all three of the Air Force's missile wings formed the task force for the launch. Maintenance support was provided by a team from the 90th Missile Wing, based at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Cross-Pacific Journey to a High-Tech Target
After launching from the California coast, the missile's reentry vehicle traveled across the Pacific Ocean for approximately 30 minutes. Its journey concluded at the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The Reagan Test Site
The Reagan Test Site is a highly sophisticated range equipped with an array of advanced sensors. These include powerful radars, optical tracking equipment, and telemetry receivers that monitor the final moments of a missile's flight. The data collected here is used to evaluate system performance and support the development of U.S. defense programs.
Upon arrival, the reentry vehicle was tracked by the site's instruments, which gathered precise data on its trajectory, speed, and behavior as it entered the atmosphere. This terminal phase information is vital for validating the missile's accuracy and the overall performance of its components.
Maintaining a Legacy System Amid Modernization
The Minuteman III has been the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad for over 50 years. While it has undergone numerous upgrades, the fundamental system is aging. The Air Force is currently in the process of developing its replacement, the LGM-35A Sentinel.
However, until the Sentinel system is fully operational, maintaining the readiness of the Minuteman III fleet remains a top priority for Air Force Global Strike Command. Regular test launches like GT 254 are a key part of this sustainment effort.
"As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet. GT 254 helps fulfill that commitment, ensuring its continued accuracy and reliability.”
Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, emphasized the validation provided by the test. “This test validated the reliability, adaptability, and modularity of the weapon system,” he stated. The 377th group is the only Air Force unit dedicated solely to ICBM testing and was responsible for the planning and execution of the launch.
The successful test serves as a public demonstration of the capability and readiness of the U.S. ICBM force, a cornerstone of national security and a key element of strategic deterrence.