Early Wednesday, the U.S. Air Force carried out a high-speed test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Described by officials as a “doomsday test,” the exercise coincided with President Donald Trump’s unveiling of a proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system aimed at shielding the U.S. from advanced threats — a move that has drawn strong criticism from China and Russia over fears of sparking an arms race.
The Air Force emphasized the launch was part of routine operations designed to confirm the effectiveness and reliability of the country’s nuclear deterrent and to assure allies of U.S. defense capabilities.
The unarmed ICBM reached speeds of 15,000 mph, traveling over 4,200 miles to its target in the Pacific’s Kwajalein Atoll within 22 minutes. Data from the launch will help assess system performance.
Colonel Dustin Harmon, who led the mission, stated that the Minuteman III remains the cornerstone of America’s strategic defense. He praised the dedication of Air Force personnel in maintaining readiness, and noted that they are also preparing for a seamless transition to the next-generation Sentinel ICBM system, set to debut in 2029.
Although the Minuteman III is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, the tested missile was unarmed.
Selected at random from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, it was transported to California for the launch. Officials clarified that the test was not in reaction to current geopolitical tensions but part of a long-standing effort to maintain a credible deterrent — with over 300 such tests conducted in the past.
The Minuteman III, one of two main missile types in the U.S. nuclear arsenal along with submarine-launched ballistic missiles, is expected to remain in service until its replacement by the Sentinel system. The new Sentinel, the Air Force says, will extend U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities through 2075.
Meanwhile, Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” — intended to counter everything from ballistic and hypersonic missiles to nuclear-capable drones — is scheduled for deployment by 2029. Experts say such a system is long overdue given increasing threats from adversaries like China, North Korea, and Russia.
Tensions continue to escalate, as both Moscow and Beijing have reportedly deployed offensive space-based systems capable of disrupting U.S. satellite infrastructure.
China has warned that America’s plans to arm space will heighten the risk of space-based warfare, accelerate global militarization, and endanger international stability.
Russia has also called for diplomatic engagement on the issue, though Trump stated he has yet to speak with President Vladimir Putin but may do so when the time is right.
Following recent talks, China and Russia issued a joint statement condemning the U.S. initiative, claiming it turns outer space into a battlefield and destabilizes the global security landscape. Trump, however, insists the system is essential to defend against a broad range of modern threats.
