Why Did the US Military Publicly Test Launch the ICBM 'Minuteman-3'?

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The United States has drawn attention by revealing footage of the test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Minuteman-3.' Analysts interpret this as a kind of warning message, conscious of the possibility that North Korea might conduct a show of force in response to the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises and its mention of a 'security crisis.'

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) announced on its website that at 12:53 a.m. local time on the 11th, it conducted a test launch of the 'Minuteman-3' equipped with a test atmospheric reentry vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. No warhead was attached.

The Minuteman-3 fell into the sea near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, about 4,200 miles (6,760 km) from the launch site.

In a press release, the U.S. Air Force explained that this test launch was "to verify the accuracy of the ICBM weapon system" and "provides useful data to continuously ensure a safe, reliable, and effective nuclear deterrent."

It also stated, "This test launch is not a response or reaction to any specific international issue or regional tension," adding, "The test launch schedule was set five years ago, and preparations for each launch begin six months to one year in advance."

Although the launch schedule was set in advance, some observers note the significance of the U.S. military conducting an ICBM test launch in the middle of the night and promptly releasing photos on the same day.

The LGM-30G Minuteman-3, known to be possessed in quantities up to 400 by the U.S., can be launched from an ICBM silo (underground bunker) and flies at speeds up to Mach 23, reaching North Korean airspace in just over 30 minutes.

Its basic specifications are a weight of 36 tons, diameter of 1.67 meters, three solid-fuel motors, a range of about 9,600 km, and a speed of Mach 23.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.