LOE Modernization: Nuclear
These recently cleared photos of the reentry of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM, sent by the team at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site demonstrate the accuracy of the unarmed ICBM test launch earlier this month, 2,300 miles west-southwest of Hawaii on Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Each test launch reiterates the safe, secure, and effective capability of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. Operated by Striker Airmen out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, every test launch is also closely monitored by teams at the Reagan Test Site, supporting and evaluating through the duration of the ICBM’s flight. The information collected by personnel at RTS provides invaluable radar, optical and telemetry data in the terminal phase of flight to evaluate system performance. The world-class range and test facility utilizes optical and telemetry sensors, as well as high-fidelity metric and signature radars, to support the research, development, test and evaluation of America's defense and space programs. (U.S. Army photo by Ryan Sharp)