The U.S. defense forces have reportedly carried out a test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), highlighting the country’s sustained commitment to strategic defense readiness. According to the Pentagon, the unarmed missile traveled over 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, heading toward Kwajalein Atoll in the North Pacific. Launched from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Minuteman III has the capability to reach global targets within 30 minutes of launch. As the backbone of America’s strategic deterrent, it has remained on continuous alert since 1992.
The test launch is crucial in improving the ICBM’s reliability and accuracy. The Pentagon is accelerating the pace of hypersonic weapons tests, a strategic move that will take years for these systems to be ready for service. The head of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently told Congress that the Pentagon needs to invest in more infrastructure to speed up testing of these high-speed systems, underlining the strategic importance of these tests.
The Air Force’s recent test of the air-launched hypersonic AGM-183A AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of defense technology. While it might be the last time the service puts its complete prototype to the test, the success of this test is a testament to the Air Force’s capabilities. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has indicated a potential shift in focus to a different hypersonic weapon, the air-breathing AGM-183A Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, or HACM.
In a flight test on March 17 at the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands, a B-52H Stratofortress launched a complete prototype of the ARRW. Its flight, known as an all-up round test, was designed to evaluate “the end-to-end performance of the ARRW,” the service said.
While the Air Force didn’t reveal details of the test, it said that it acquired valuable data that will help further the Conventional Prompt Strike and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon All Up Round programs. The ARRW is built by Lockheed Martin and designed to fly along various trajectories, including boost-glide and air-breathing.
The Army, meanwhile, is gearing up to test its hypersonic weapon system with the help of Leidos’ Dynetics. Defense News reported that the test will also be an all-up round, a full launch with the missile’s payload adapter and hypersonic glide body attached to a Tactical Missile System booster. The Army wants to ensure the equipment works as intended before allowing the vendor to produce the units that will eventually house these rounds for fielding.