22-04-2025
US Flexes Nuclear Weapons Forces
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The United States nuclear forces validated the readiness and capability of bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles by conducting an exercise and a test earlier this month.
Why It Matters
Official data shows that the U.S. has 3,748 warheads in its nuclear arsenal as of September 2023, which will be equipped on land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as well as nuclear-capable bombers and fighter jets.
The U.S. military regularly tests its nuclear forces to ensure that they are ready to carry out missions. In February, a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, which was unarmed but nuclear-capable, was launched from California over the Pacific Ocean for a test launch.
The recent American nuclear exercise and test events come as the U.S. and Iran held indirect nuclear talks amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia and China continue modernizing their nuclear capabilities, and North Korea has said no to full denuclearization.
An unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on February 19, 2025.
An unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on February 19, 2025.
Airman 1st Class Olga Houtsma/U.S. Space Force
What To Know
The U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing, operators of the nuclear-capable B-52H bombers, recently participated in Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, according to a press release from the 5th Bomb Wing on Monday.
This routine exercise aimed to bolster the safety, security, and reliability of American bomber-based strategic deterrence. Such regularly planned exercises are not scheduled or held in response to any specific geopolitical conditions or situations, the press release said.
An official released photo shows U.S. airmen conducting convoy operations with missiles on April 11 during the drill. Each B-52H bomber can carry up to 20 nuclear-armed AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles, according to a report by the Federation of American Scientists.
U.S. airmen conduct convoy operations during Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on April 11, 2025.
U.S. airmen conduct convoy operations during Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on April 11, 2025.
Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum/U.S. Air Force
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, which is responsible for continuous, rapid, accurate, and survivable intercontinental ballistic missile operations, conducted a Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman test at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
This event, also known as the Giant Pace, was completed on April 9. Unlike the test launch in February, it did not involve firing the nuclear missile. It is used for testing the Airborne Launch Control System operating aboard the U.S. Navy E-6B aircraft.
The E-6B, a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft, provides "survivable, reliable and endurable" airborne nuclear command, control, and communications for the president, defense secretary, and the U.S. Strategic Command.
The airborne control system serves as an alternate means of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles if command centers on the ground are compromised, guaranteeing that U.S. nuclear command and control can survive "unexpected threats," the press release said.
There are 76 B-52H bombers in service, the Federation of American Scientists said, but only 46 aircraft can be armed with nuclear cruise missiles. A total of 400 Minuteman III missiles are deployed in silos across Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana.
U.S. airmen assigned to the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron board a U.S. Navy E-6B aircraft prior to a Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman test at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on April 9, 2025.
U.S. airmen assigned to the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron board a U.S. Navy E-6B aircraft prior to a Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman test at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on April 9, 2025.
Chad Watkins/U.S. Air Force
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Air Force 5th Bomb Wing: "Exercises like [Prairie Vigilance 25-1] are critical to ensuring U.S. Strategic Command forces remain organized, trained and equipped to carry out daily operations and to respond effectively to emerging threats worldwide when needed."
The U.S. 8th Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center: "Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman] tests do not happen overnight nor are they in response to anything occurring in world, instead it takes up to five years to plan a single test. It requires coordination between numerous organizations."
The Pentagon said in a fact sheet: "For more than six decades, the United States has emphasized the need for a nuclear force that credibly deters adversaries, assures allies and partners, achieves U.S. objectives should deterrence fail, and hedges against uncertain threats."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether other U.S. nuclear units will conduct any exercises or tests, as President Donald Trump has claimed that he is in favor of denuclearization among global powers, saying, "It would be great if everybody would get rid of their nuclear weapons."
