U.S. conducts test launch of intercontinental ballistic missile without nuclear warhead. VIDEO
On 5 November 2025, the United States Air Force conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This was reported by the US Air Force Global Strike Command, according to Censor.NET.
Test details
The test aimed to assess the current reliability, combat readiness, and accuracy of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, which forms the backbone of the United States’ national defense.
Importance of the ICBM tests
The Western Range at Vandenberg SFB serves as the testing ground. The launch is part of a series of routine and periodic activities crucial for evaluating and validating the Minuteman III’s capabilities.
"This test confirmed the reliability, adaptability, and modularity of the weapon system. Through this comprehensive evaluation, carried out by a dedicated AFGSC flight test team, we ensure the highest standards of integrity and reliability for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile system," said Colonel Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group.
The unarmed ICBM flew roughly 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, located at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
- As of 2022, the U.S. Air Force maintained around 400 Minuteman III missiles, some of which are equipped with nuclear warheads.
Background
- US President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to immediately begin testing American nuclear weapons. He noted that this decision was made because other countries are also doing so.
- Russia responded to Trump's statement with threats. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow hopes that information about Russia’s tests of the Burevestnik and Poseidon missiles will be "conveyed correctly" to the U.S. president.
- US Vice President Jay D. Vance said that testing the country's nuclear arsenal is a key component of national security.
