A test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is scheduled for between 11:01 pm and 5:01 am PT on the night of Election Day. The launch will take place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
While the timing has raised some concerns, military officials emphasize that the test is routine, planned years in advance, and not related to the election. The stated purpose is to demonstrate the readiness of US nuclear forces and bolster confidence in the nation’s nuclear deterrent, particularly given rising global tensions.
The ICBM will travel approximately 4,200 miles to Kwajalein Atoll in the North Pacific, a journey expected to take around 22 minutes. The Minuteman III can achieve speeds exceeding 15,000 miles per hour, enabling it to strike targets anywhere in the world within 30 minutes of launch. This capability is relevant given the perceived threat from nations like Russia and China, located roughly 5,900 and 6,000 miles from California, respectively.