Context: The US conducted an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
The LGM-30G Minuteman III, a solid-fueled ICBM first deployed by the USAF in the 1960s, serves as the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad. Designed and manufactured by Boeing, it was initially intended for a ten-year service life but has been continually modernized.
What are ICBMs?
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads across continents. They are a key component of a nation’s nuclear deterrent strategy due to their ability to strike distant targets quickly. In India, examples of ICBMs include the Agni series, such as Agni-V, which has a range of over 5,000 kilometres, and Agni-VI, which is currently under development and is expected to have an even longer range.
Source: Space Force
