|
|
|
Minuteman Missile Technology |
LGM-30A "Minuteman I" BOEING
Development of the Minuteman began early in 1958 and progressed rapidly. It
had its first full-scale, three-stage test firing on February 1, 1961 and became
operational with the Strategic Air Command late in 1962. The success of the
Minuteman program permitted the phasing-out of liquid-fueled Atlas and Titan I
ICBMs in the mid-1960s. In 1965 SAC began to incorporate Minuteman II missiles
into its inventory, an improved version with greater range, payload and
accuracy. Eventually, operational Minuteman I and II ICBMs were dispersed at six
USAF bases in the central and northern plains states.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 55 ft. 9 in.
Diameter:
Approximately 6 ft. at the widest point
Weight: 65,000 lbs. at launch
Armament: Nuclear warhead
Engines: Three solid-propellant
rocket engines: first stage of 167,000 pounds thrust, second stage of 49,200
pounds thrust, and a third stage of 18,900 pounds thrust.
Cost:
$1,315,000
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed: Over 15,000 mph. / 13,035 knots
Max. range: +6,300 statute miles / 5,475 nautical miles
Max.
altitude: 700 statute miles / 608 nautical miles
|
BOEING LGM-30G "MINUTEMAN
III"
The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is the most
advanced version of the solid-propellant series of weapons and offers greater
range than the Minuteman I and II.
Its larger nuclear payload consists of multiple independently-targeted reentry
vehicles (MIRV) which, with such aids as chaff and decoys, increase its chances
of penetrating enemy defenses.
The Minuteman I became operational in 1962 and three years later, Minuteman
II reached the same status. Minuteman I sites were later modified to accept the
improved -II and -III versions, permitting the updating of the entire Minuteman
force of approximately 1,000 missiles scattered at launch sites in central and
northern plains states. On June 19, 1970, the Strategic Air Command at Minot
AFB, North Dakota, accepted the first operational Minuteman IIIs. A flight of
ten launchers has a launch control center
located approximately 50 feet underground. To prevent an unauthorized launch, it
requires the coordinated efforts of two-man teams of SAC launch control officers
to fire one of these missiles skyward from its hardened underground silo.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 59 ft. 10 in.
Diameter:
Approximately 6 ft. at the widest point
Weight: 78,000 pounds at
launch
Armament: Nuclear warheads
Engines: Three
solid-propellant rocket engines; first, second and third
stages of 200,000, 60,600, and 34,000 pounds of thrust respectively
Cost: $1,818,000
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed: 15,000 mph / 13,035 knots
Max. range: Over 8,000 statute miles / 6,952 nautical miles
Max. altitude: 700 statute miles / 608 nautical miles
|
|
