Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch on Nov. 5 of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
The test, which was designated GT 254, is part of the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to modernize its ICBM fleet. The test evaluated the effectiveness and continuous availability of the ALCS, a backup command and control system for the ICBM force.
A team of AFGSC Airmen aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft initiated the launch. The ICBM’s reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
“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,” Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander said. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”
The launch was conducted following stringent safety protocols, and allowed the AFGSC to collect data. The Reagan Test Site also collected data during the terminal phase of flight to evaluate system performance and support the evaluation of America’s defense and space programs.