Washington DC., May 19, 2026 (Agencies) – The United States will conduct an unarmed test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on May 20, officials confirmed Tuesday.
A statement from Vandenberg Space Force Base said the program aims to “validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system.”
The Minuteman III, introduced in 1970, remains the backbone of America’s land-based nuclear arsenal. Manufactured by Boeing, the missile is a three-stage, solid-fuel ICBM with a range of up to 12,000–14,000 kilometers and speeds exceeding Mach 23. It measures 18.3 meters in length, weighs over 36,000 kilograms, and is launched from underground silos across the U.S. Midwest.
Originally designed to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), the Minuteman III today typically carries a single W78 or W87 nuclear warhead. Its accuracy is within 200 meters of target (CEP), making it one of the most precise strategic weapons in service.
The U.S. currently maintains 400 Minuteman III missiles, with 200 armed with single nuclear warheads. The last test occurred on March 4, 2026.
U.S. Strategic Command emphasized that these launches are routine and pre-scheduled, not linked to current international tensions.