5 Things To Know About The Overnight SoCal Nuclear Missile Test

CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed nuclear missile from Santa Barbara County early Wednesday morning.

Here are five things to know about the launch:

1. It Was A Routine Test

The launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base was part of a program to "demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent," military officials said.

The 1 a.m. launch was similar to 300 other past launches and "not a response to current global events," according to the Air Force.

The military gave advance public notice of the launch last week. The last routine test took place on Nov. 5 from Vandenberg.

2. Its Destination Was 4,200 Miles Away

The missile was launched from Vandenberg and shot over the Pacific Ocean, where it traveled more than 4,200 miles to a test range in the Marshall Islands, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Located about 2,300 southwest of Hawaii, the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site offers key infrastructure for the U.S. military. Officials say its "isolated location minimizes environmental and safety constraints on missile test scenarios." And the atoll the site is situated on includes "the world's largest lagoon," allowing the military to more easily recover its equipment after launches, officials said.

The U.S. military gained control of the Marshall Islands from Japan in 1944. It conducted dozens of (armed) nuclear tests in the country over the next decade.

The country became self-governing in 1979 and is now in free association with the U.S. It's a sovereign nation, but the U.S. has full authority and responsibility of the country's defense, and the Marshallese government is prohibited from taking any actions that would be against those security interests, according to the U.S. State Department.

3. The Missile Is Much, Much Faster Than An Airplane

The Minuteman III packs a lot of power in its 60-foot-long, 5.5-foot-wide form.

Powered by three solid-propellant rocket motors, the 79,432-pound missile can travel at speeds of 15,000 mph — that's over 25 times as fast as a typical commercial airliner, according to the military.

4. It's Capable Of Carrying 3 Nuclear Warheads

The missile is capable of carrying three nuclear warheads, though each missile has been limited to one warhead by international treaty since 2005, according to the military.

The U.S. has the second-most nuclear warheads of any country at 5,044. Russia has 5,580, according to estimates by the Federation of American Scientists.

Together, the two countries possess nearly 90% of the world's nuclear weapons. The third-most armed country is China, with an estimated 500 weapons.

Under the Cold War-era Non-Proliferation Treaty, the size of nuclear stockpiles has seen a "dramatic" reduction, according to the U.S. State Department.

5. The Name Is Accurate

A Minuteman III takes about 60 seconds to launch.

"When a launch crew receives a valid 'emergency action message,' they take specific and well-practiced steps to make sure their actions are correct. If necessary, top-secret codes are sent to the missiles to enable them to launch at predetermined targets.

"Next, the crewmen simultaneously turn keys that give the missile a final readiness check and open huge silo doors at ground level. Finally, electric cables automatically disconnect to free the missile, the first stage ignites, and Minuteman III is on its way," according to the Air Force Museum.

The two-person crew are "on alert at all times" in "deeply buried underground launch facilities." Each crew controls 10 missiles, according to the military.

The crews can only launch missiles based on "authenticated orders from the President of the United States using complex, secure codes and procedures," according to the museum.

The Minuteman name is the same term used to describe members of the New England colonial militia known for being ready to fight the British at a minute's notice during the Revolutionary War.