The United States launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday, just a week after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing, ending a break of more than three decades.

According to the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the test involved a Minuteman III ICBM that was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The missile traveled across the Pacific Ocean and landed near the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands.

The test, named GT 254, was carried out to check the system’s reliability, readiness, and accuracy.

The launch was activated by airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron using the Airborne Launch Control System on a US Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. This system serves as a backup control method for ICBMs.

Lieutenant Colonel Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said: “GT 254 is not just a launch, it's a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system's ability to perform its critical mission.”

She added: “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”

On October 30, Trump announced that the US would restart nuclear weapons testing, saying it was necessary to keep pace with countries like China and Russia.

He said on Truth Social: “Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”

Trump stressed that the US must not fall behind in nuclear capability. “With others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also,” he told reporters.

When asked about growing global nuclear risks, he downplayed concerns, saying US nuclear stockpiles were “well locked up”, and added that he would support denuclearisation in the future.

“I’d like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many, and Russia’s second and China’s third, and China will catch up within four or five years,” he said.