The 341st Missile Wing recently conducted a simulated launch of a Minuteman III ICBM at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Conducted twice annually, the Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman “is meant to exercise the weapon and its command signals in its operationally deployed location,” said Lt. Col. Suzanne Sauls, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron commander. Since Minuteman test shots are conducted at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., SELMs are required to effectively measure the responsiveness of the silos, networks, and facilities at operational missile bases. “It’s nice to see it all culminate to that one moment where you can verify that the wing’s mission will succeed,” affirmed Sauls, following the successful evaluation, which took place Oct. 18-20. F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., conducted a SELM in August, making Giant Pace 11-2M the final Minuteman test of this nature this year. (Malmstrom report by Amn. Cortney Paxton)
DNI: Cyber Is The Common Weapon Among Top Adversaries
April 17, 2021
The top four U.S. adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are improving their military capabilities but relying increasingly on cyber means to challenge the U.S. and blunt its influence around the world, the intelligence community's annual threat assessment says. The report comes amid military tensions with both China and Russia.