USAF Flight Tests Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System

Northrop Grumman Corporation announced Tuesday that it has supported successful flight testing of the US Air Force's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) weapon system.

The operational flight test was conducted as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command's Force Development Evaluation Program. This program demonstrates and supports assessment of the accuracy, availability and reliability of the Minuteman III weapon system.

The launch proceeded after a four-hour hold for down-range weather. The missile traveled approximately 4,800 miles in 30 minutes from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to the Ronald Reagan Test Site in the Kwajalein Atoll in the western chain of the Marshall Islands.

"Each operational test we conduct is critical to ensuring the safety, surety, reliability and effectiveness of our nation's ICBM weapons system," said Lori Belnap, director and program manager for Northrop Grumman's ICBM prime team.

"We are proud to support the Air Force in its execution of this successful operational test launch program that continues to demonstrate the ongoing exceptional performance of the Minuteman III weapon system," he said.

The Northrop Grumman-led ICBM prime team includes Boeing, Lockheed Martin, ATK and more than 20 additional companies. The team supports the Air Force in overall sustainment of the Minuteman weapon system including development, production, deployment and system modifications.