ICBM stands for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. ICBMs are guided missiles that typically launch from the ground and can travel vast distances – sometimes more than 6,000 miles! They also play an important role in deterring threats from nuclear states and keeping Americans and our allies safe.

Recently, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, California. The silo-launched Minuteman III is always on alert 24/7. In fact, the Minuteman ICBM system hasn’t had a day off since 1962.

Boeing has designed and delivered all three generations of the ground-based, silo-launched Minuteman ICBMs — first partnering with the Air Force to develop the ICBM in 1958.

The Minuteman III is safe, secure, and effective — exactly what America needs to keep its citizens and allies safe from global threats.

Developing a new ICBM weapon system to thwart evolving global threats is crucial for continued security. America’s ICBM systems must be transformed from a Cold War-era arsenal to a simple but powerful force that can adapt to the complex security environment of the 21st century.

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