U.S. Air Force Tests Minuteman III ICBM With Multiple Reentry Vehicles in First Launch Since New START Expiration

(DailyAnswer.org) – President Trump’s Air Force successfully tests Minuteman III ICBM with multiple reentry vehicles, proving America’s nuclear deterrent remains rock-solid amid global threats.

Story Highlights

Air Force Global Strike Command launched unarmed Minuteman III from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 3, 2026, with two test reentry vehicles hitting targets at Kwajalein Atoll.
Test verifies reliability and precision of multiple independently targeted payloads post-New START expiration, strengthening the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.
Success boosts confidence in Minuteman III amid Sentinel program delays, potentially extending its service to 2050 for unmatched national security.
Routine Glory Trip 255 demonstrates Air Force readiness without provocation, countering adversaries who test their own missiles routinely.

Test Details and Execution

Air Force Global Strike Command executed Glory Trip 255 on March 3, 2026, at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile carried two test reentry vehicles that traveled thousands of miles to predetermined targets at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Operators from all three missile wings, including the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, prepared the missile over months. The 576th Flight Test Squadron managed launch operations from a Vandenberg silo, similar to past uses like LF-10. This marked the first Minuteman III test of 2026, part of a program with over 300 historical launches.

Verification of MIRV Capabilities

The 377th Test and Evaluation Group collected data on reentry vehicle accuracy and system reliability post-impact. Gen. S.L. Davis, AFGSC commander, stated the test validated synchronization and precision of multiple payloads against defended targets. Col. Dustin Harmon emphasized it verifies capabilities essential for national defense. Lt. Col. Karrie Wray noted assessments enhance overall ICBM fleet performance. Data shares with U.S. Strategic Command, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy inform force development. No failures occurred, aligning with recent Glory Trip successes.

Minuteman III, deployed since the 1970s, pioneered multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles but operated single-warhead since 2014 under New START. That treaty expired February 2026, enabling this multi-vehicle test, precedented by three-vehicle launches in 2023 and 2024. AFGSC conducts two to three tests annually to sustain the nuclear triad’s land-based component.

Strategic Context and Implications

New START’s end removes warhead limits, allowing verification of MIRV potential critical for penetrating advanced defenses. The test occurred amid Sentinel ICBM delays reported by GAO in September, including software issues and facility replacements across five states. Air Force evaluations deem Minuteman III feasible for extension to 2050, beyond its original 2026 service life. This ensures continuous deterrence without rushed modernization risks. Northrop Grumman leads Sentinel, but delays pressure reliance on proven Minuteman III systems.

Short-term, the success boosts triad confidence amid global tensions, with data refining operations. Long-term, it supports life extension and potential MIRV redeployment, signaling U.S. strength. Kwajalein Atoll, a historical U.S. test site, faced no disruptions. Politically, it reinforces America’s sovereign defense posture under President Trump, prioritizing military readiness over outdated arms control that weakened our position.