Overview
- Air Force Global Strike Command launched GT 254 early Nov. 5, sending an instrumented reentry vehicle about 4,200 miles to the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein.
- The missile was fired via the Airborne Launch Control System from a U.S. Navy E-6B, testing backup command and control for the ICBM force.
- Officials said the event was scheduled well in advance and used a telemetry package in place of a warhead to collect flight data.
- The U.S. notified Russia before the test, and the Kremlin acknowledged the notice as officials in Moscow discussed possible preparations in response.
- The flight supports continuity as the Air Force maintains roughly 400 Minuteman III missiles while transitioning toward the delayed LGM-35A Sentinel program.