VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., June 22 (UPI) -- An unarmed operational test of the U.S. Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The Air Force said the missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle is expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles to a target near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
"Minuteman III test launches demonstrate our nation's ICBM capability in a very visible way, deterring potential adversaries while reassuring allies," said Air Force Col. David Bliesner, 576th FLTS commander and mission director. "These launches provide valuable information on the missile's effectiveness in its intended operational environment."
Under the direction of the 576th FLTS, the launch team includes crew members from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, who will launch the missile from the Airborne Launch Control System, in addition to maintenance and operations task force members from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., who will conduct operational tasks in support of the launch.
The 576 FLTS is responsible for installed tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems on the missile which collect data and ensure safety requirements are met.
The launch is one of a series of ICBM operational tests and is vital to ensuring the nation's most powerful weapons are safe, secure and effective, said Air Force Global Strike Command officials.
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will use the data collected from this mission for continuing force development evaluation.
