WASHINGTON, May 21. /TASS/. The United States has carried out a test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Vandenberg base (California) of the US Space Force, according to a post on the page of the base in the social network X.
The launch of the missile without striking elements was carried out on May 21 at 00:01 local time. "This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent," the post said.
The previous Minuteman III test launch was conducted in February; more than 300 launches have been made in all. The first Minuteman III ICBMs of the Minuteman missile family were developed in the late 1960s and have been in US service since the 1970s.