U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) conducted an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on March 3, 2026, to evaluate the land-based leg of nuclear deterrence. The missile, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carried two re-entry vehicles that are critical to nuclear strategy.
Moscow: “Notification Channels Are Working”
Following the launch, attention turned to Moscow, where the first official response came from Russia. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in comments to RIA Novosti that Washington had notified Moscow about the ICBM test. Ryabkov emphasized that notification procedures and communication channels within the framework of strategic stability remain operational, indicating that the launch had been reported under routine agreements.
GT-255: Multiple Warhead Simulation
As part of the test, code-named “Glory Trip 255” (GT-255), the missile traveled approximately 6,750 kilometers toward Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
- Technical Focus: The use of two re-entry vehicles during the test was intended to verify the missile’s capability to accurately strike multiple targets.
- Timing: U.S. officials stressed that the launch had been planned years in advance and was not related to current geopolitical tensions or regional military movements.
Modernization Process and the Future
Currently, the Minuteman III remains the United States’ only land-based ICBM system and has been in service since the 1970s. The United States Air Force stated that the data obtained from the test will help confirm the reliability of the existing system while also supporting development of the future LGM‑35A Sentinel missile program, which is planned to enter the U.S. nuclear arsenal in the coming years.
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Source: C4Defence
