The United States successfully conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 21, 2025, sending it 4,200 miles across the Pacific to the Marshall Islands. Traveling at over 15,000 miles per hour, the test demonstrated the reliability and readiness of America’s land-based nuclear deterrent — a key element of national defense under ongoing arms control frameworks like the New START Treaty.

According to the U.S. Air Force, the launch was part of routine verification procedures to ensure the accuracy, safety, and effectiveness of the ICBM fleet, which forms one leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. These tests, conducted multiple times each year, confirm the readiness of the aging Minuteman III system while underscoring America’s commitment to maintaining credible deterrence amid growing global instability.

While land-based missile tests like this one are relatively common, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) tests — where nearly 70% of U.S. nuclear warheads are deployed — are far rarer. The Ohio-class submarines carrying these SLBMs represent the most survivable component of America’s strategic arsenal, capable of striking back even in the event of a surprise attack. Together, these systems ensure a powerful and flexible deterrence posture that no adversary can ignore.

The May test, accompanied by official U.S. Air Force footage, serves as a visible reminder of the nation’s technological precision and unwavering defense capability. In an era marked by rising nuclear threats from adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea, the United States continues to prove that its strategic deterrent remains second to none — reliable, modern, and ready at a moment’s notice.