A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched at 1:01 a.m. April 1 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joe Davila) VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched at 1:01 a.m. April 1 by Vandenberg Air Force Base officials.
The launch tested the weapon system's reliability and accuracy, and what makes this launch different is that it is also the certification flight for the new Developmental Joint Test Assembly on board the MK-21 re-entry vehicle.
"In order to comply with 30th Space Wing safety requirements, a component of the flight termination system on the missile had to be redesigned and certified," said Lt. Col. Lesa Toler, the 576th Flight Test Squadron commander and the mission director for this operational test launch. "Safety is our No. 1 concern when conducting test launches."
The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to its pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site located in the Marshall Islands.
The data collected will be used by the entire ICBM community, including the U.S. Strategic Command planners and the Program Office at Hill AFB, Utah, and the National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Sandia National Laboratories.
"Minuteman III flight testing is critical because it's the only way to obtain data on weapon system reliability, accuracy, and performance from first stage ignition to RV impact," Colonel Toler said.
Members of the 576th FLTS prepared the launch facility and launch control center, as well as the test missile to ensure a successful launch, she said.
"We met our test objectives but ultimately proved our nation's nuclear ICBM force is reliable and will continue to play a vital role in deterrence and security of the United States," Colonel Toler said.
"An outstanding display of teamwork ensured 100 percent mission success," said Col. Michael Fortney, the 30th SW vice commander and the spacelift commander for the test launch.