The Defense Department tested a prototype ground-launched missile Thursday from Vandenberg Air Force Base, saying it traveled some 311 miles before the flight’s termination in the ocean.
The conventionally configured ballistic missile blasted off at approximately 8:30 a.m. from the northern section of the base to collect data for the Pentagon’s development of next-generation weapons.
“The test missile exited its static launch stand and terminated in the open ocean after more than 500 kilometers of flight,” Vandenberg officials said. “Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense’s development of future intermediate-range capabilities.”
The military remained mum about the weapon’s dimensions and capabilities, but the solid-fueled missile appeared significantly smaller than Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles normally tested at Vandenberg.
Military officials declined to say when or if other tests would occur for the weapon they say is not being equipped to carry nuclear warheads.
“The DOD’s ground-launched missile efforts are conventional only,” said Lt. Col. Robert Carver, Department of Defense spokesman. “Development of a conventional ground-launched ballistic missile system is in the early stages of testing, and it will be years before any operational system is ready for deployment.”
The Strategic Capabilities Office, part of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, conducted Thursday’s test while Vandenberg provided range support to monitor the flight. Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems was the primary launch services contractor for the mission.
“The Western Range plays an integral role in testing new capabilities with our mission partners by providing the infrastructure, personnel and range assets needed to carry out efficient missile testing from conception to evaluation,” said Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander.
“The National Defense Strategy provides very clear direction to restore our competitive edge in the re-emergence of great power competition, and we owe it to our nation to rapidly evolve and develop our capacity to defend,” Mastalir said. “Our airmen should be extremely proud of their contributions to their country today.”
Tests of these types of weapons once were banned under a 3-decades-old arms control treaty.
A joint government-industry team began work after the U.S. suspended its Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty obligations in February 2019, and executed the launch within nine months of contract award, defense officials said. The process typically takes 24 months.
President Ronald Reagan and then Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev inked the INF deal on Dec. 8, 1987, with the arms-control pact aimed at eliminating intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles from the arsenal for the U.S. and former Soviet Union.
Thursday’s test marked the second of a prototype conventionally configured ground-launched missile system since the U.S. withdrew from the INF Treaty in August.
The previous test occurred Aug. 18, when the U.S. Navy successfully demonstrated a prototype ground-launched cruise missile during a test at San Nicolas Island, off the coast of Ventura County.
“The men and women of Vandenberg work diligently to execute launches efficiently, and we remain committed to providing robust support to our mission partners,” said Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander and launch decision authority for the test.
“Overseeing today’s launch operations in the Western Range Operations Control Center reminded me of just how remarkable our airmen and partnerships are,” Reeves added.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.