Vandenberg to launch unarmed Minuteman III missile this week

Vandenberg Space Force Base will test launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile this week.

The test window is scheduled between 11:01 p.m. Thursday and 5:01 a.m. Friday, according to a news release.

Vandenberg officials said the test from the base near Lompoc is routine. These activities are typically scheduled years in advance.

“This ICBM test launch will validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system,” the release said.

The ICBM test launch program is meant to demonstrate the readiness of country’s nuclear forces and provide confidence in the effectiveness of the nuclear deterrent, according to the U.S. Air Force’s Global Strike Command.

According to the release, the U.S. government has transmitted a pre-launch notification pursuant to the Hague Code of Conduct and has notified the Russian government of the test in advance.

This story was originally published February 8, 2023 at 12:59 PM.

Kaytlyn Leslie

The Tribune

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Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.