Testing
Minuteman III missiles are regularly tested with launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Since February 2012, at least 3 Minuteman III test launches have been delayed due to technical problems
The most recent launch was of an unarmed Minuteman III missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., which flew over the Pacific Ocean, 4,200 miles to a test range in the Marshall Islands, was in the early morning hours of February 25, 2012
Previous to the February launch, the last test flight was July 27, 2011 which was unsuccessful. Controllers observed an anomaly during the last portion of the mission, prompting them to terminate the test early for safety reasons. An anomaly is any unexpected event during the test. A launch analysis group was formed to investigate. The LAG included members from the 576th Flight Test Squadron, 30th Space Wing safety office, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and Northrop Grumman, among other organizations. The current Minuteman III configuration has a reliable test and evaluation track record, with 22 of 24 fully successful flight tests. The last test to be terminated by mission controllers occurred in 1998.
Before the July test flight, the most recent was just before 6:40 AM on June 22, 2011. The unarmed missile traveled 4,200 miles to its target in the Marshall Islands. Defense officials will use the data collected from the launch to ensure the readiness and capability of the intercontinental ballistic missile fleet.
Before that, the most recent launch from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base was on September 17, 2010, sent a single re-entry test vehicle into suborbital space on a flight that soared some 5,300 miles (8,530 km) across the Pacific Ocean, successfully landing on target about 200 miles (322 km) southwest of Guam.
The 576th FLTS, at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is responsible for planning, preparing, conducting and assessing ICBM ground and flight tests.
Read more about this topic: LGM-30 Minuteman
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