The US Air Force shows photos from the E-6B Mercury doomsday plane during the launch of the Minuteman III ICBM

Last week, the US Air Force conducted a successful test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). A few days later, the US Air Force released some photos from the E-6B Mercury "doomsday aircraft" that took part in the test.

Here's What We Know

The photos show US Air Force specialists aboard the E-6B Mercury who initiated the launch of the LGM-30G Minuteman III. The test was a joint effort between the US Navy and US Air Force.

The test shaft at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, was used for the test. The ICBM launch command was given by the E-6B Mercury Aircraft Launch Control System (ALCS). The missile flew nearly 4,200 miles (6,759 km).

The photo shows one of the crew turning the keys to initiate the Minuteman III launch. The use of multiple physical keys has long been an iconic component of nuclear security measures.

During the Cold War, at least one crew member responsible for the key was armed with a pistol. In this way, he protected himself from anyone who would try to take the key and launch an unauthorised nuclear attack.

All E-6B Mercury aircraft are based on a Boeing 707. They are equipped with ALCS, which allows the initiation of missiles from silos and Ohio-class nuclear submarines that carry Trident II (D5) missiles with nuclear warheads.

The LGM-30G Minuteman III is the land-based component of the US military's nuclear deterrent triad. Mines are located in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming. The US has around 400 operational Minuteman III ICBMs. Northrop Grumman is developing the next generation of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.

Source: DVIDS