The U.S. Air Force launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early Wednesday as part of a scheduled exercise, demonstrating the nation’s nuclear deterrent capabilities amid growing geopolitical tensions, the Daily Mail reported.

The unarmed missile was fired at 5 a.m. ET from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, traveling at 15,000 miles per hour before reaching a test range near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

The missile completed its 4,200-mile journey in approximately 22 minutes.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.