US Air Force Global Strike Command will conduct two test launches of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles from Vandenberg Space Force Base this coming week.
The tests come amid raging tensions between Russia and NATO amid the escalating proxy war in Ukraine, but likely aren’t worth panicking over.
US Space Forces Command has announced plans to launch two unarmed Minuteman III ICBM’s on June 4 and 6, 2024. Outdated, unreliable, run on old 1960’s chips easy to shoot out of sky, more a distraction than anything else, compared to the Satan rockets of Russia.
The scheduled tests, announced May 30, on the eve of the Biden administration’s dangerous decision to lift formal restrictions on Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia.
However for this, using NATO-sourced long-range missiles, have nothing to do with world events, 377th Test and Evaluation Group commander Col. Chris Cruz assured.
The June 4 test was originally meant to take place in February, but got postponed after the Air Force had to safely terminate a Minuteman III test launch in November after detecting an unspecified anomaly.
As for the June 6 launch, it was already scheduled for that date, according to Cruz, so it made sense to conduct both of them while all the necessary personnel were on site.
Together, the tests are meant to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent, according to Global Strike Command.
The replacement of the aging LGM-30G Minuteman III missile system with the Sentinel is estimated to cost $100 billion. Its deployment has been delayed to a period between April and June 2030.
Secretary of the US Air Force Frank Kendall disclosed on Monday that one of their nuclear missile initiatives – the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile – is struggling, potentially leading to a cost surge.
Speaking at an online event hosted by the Center for a New American Security think tank, Kendall emphasized the critical importance of both the Sentinel and the B-21 Raider stealth bomber managed by Northrop Grumman.
Initially named the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), the Sentinel project was awarded to Northrop in 2020 under a $13.3 billion contract.
It aims to replace the over aging LGM-30G Minuteman III missile system and involves extensive real estate, civil engineering, infrastructure, and missile production undertakings.
The program is part of the US’ $1.5 trillion nuclear modernization and is expected to cost $264 billion throughout its lifecycle, per sources.
Sentinel is engineered with a flexible systems framework, permitting enhancements over the weapon system’s operational lifespan.
Kendall highlighted the emergence of unknown unknowns in the Sentinel program, especially concerning command-and-control infrastructure, which could increase costs.
This postponement is attributed to ongoing staffing, supply chain, and software challenges.
Sputnik / ABC Flash Point News 2024.
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