Background
Once Minuteman III deloyment was underway, Strategic Air Command's planners
began their search for a third-generation ICBM. SAC again sought the most
technologically advanced system to secure increased range, variable warhead
yields, and pinpoint accuracy. Several issues complicated the development and
acquisition of a new ICBM system. The increased accuracy of Soviet missile
systems spawned an intense debate over the survivability of fixed missile sites
and the best method for basing the third-generation ICBM. However, the issue of
funding, given an atmosphere of burgeoning federal deficits and cost-cutting
measures, impeded SAC's efforts to acquire a new missile. Nonetheless, SAC
persevered and brought the Missile-X into the ICBM inventory as the Peacekeeper
missile.
The search for a system to replace the Minuteman began in 1971. Strategic Air
Command, believing Minuteman technology to be obsolete, wanted a new missile
that incorporated the most advanced technology available. Essential elements on
SAC's list of requirements were increased range, greater accuracy, and variable
yield warheads to capitalize on multiple independently-targetable reentry
vehicle technology. Progress toward the new missile was made on 4 April 1972
when Headquarters Air Force assigned the designation "Missile-X" (M-X) to the
advanced ICBM and made the Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO)
responsible for developing it.
The issue of hardened silos versus mobility surfaced almost immediately as a
major M-X stumbling point. Improvements in Soviet ICBM forces and missile
accuracy raised serious concerns over the ability of silo-based ICBMs to survive
an attack. Proposed solutions to the problem were hardened silos and a mobile
basing system. Strategic Air Command objected to mobile basing in 1973 because
of its high expense, poor accuracy, and slow reaction time. Meanwhile, the
defense community continued to explore both solutions. One approach to mobility
was an air-mobile system, and during a 24 October 1974 test of the concept,
SAMSO successfully launched a Minuteman I from a C-5A cargo aircraft. One month
later, the Secretary of Defense, under intense political pressure to resolve
basing issues and produce an economical missile system, pushed the M-X's initial
operational capability from 1983 to 1985. At the same time, he initiated studies
to determine the feasibility of developing a common M-X/Trident missile. In July
1976, Congress, convinced that silo-based missiles would be vulnerable to Soviet
ICBMs, refused to appropriate funds for validation of a silo-based M-X system.
Congress also deleted funds for air-mobile basing and directed validation of
either a buried trench or shelter basing plan.
The defense establishment examined nearly forty basing modes before President
Carter made his 12 June 1979 decision to proceed with full scale engineering
development of the Missile-X. The President augmented this decision on 7
September 1979 with the selection of a horizontal multiple protective shelter
basing plan for the new missile. Full scale engineering development began one
week later.
President Reagan, desiring more rapid deployment of the new missile, canceled
the horizontal shelter plan on 2 October 1981 and advocated the deployment of a
limited number of M-X missiles in superhardened Titan II or Minuteman silos. On
22 November 1982, the President further refined his position by announcing
Closely Spaced Basing as the final solution to the M-X basing problem. President
Reagan used the same speech to indicate his preference for "Peacekeeper" as the
name of the M-X missile. Congress, which had rejected interim Peacekeeper basing
in Minuteman silos in
March 1982, also rejected Closely Spaced Basing and refused to approve
Peacekeeper funding. The Congress further insisted that the President undertake
a comprehensive technical assessment of the ICBM and basing alternatives.
President Reagan responded by first directing Headquarters Air Force to
conduct a technical assessment. The Air Force report, completed in March 1983,
advocated deployment of a new, highly accurate ICBM in sufficient numbers to
eliminate the Soviet Union's "coercive advantage." The Air Force also
recommended concurrent deployment of a survivable basing method that allowed
credible, effective, and timely retaliation. A critical point in the Air Force
assessment was the need to deploy an ICBM quickly as a demonstration of national
resolve to preserve deterrence.
President Reagan also appointed a Commission on Strategic Forces chaired by
Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft. The Scowcroft Commission's report, issued on
6 April 1983, encouraged the development of a small single-warhead ICBM to meet
the long-range threat, but recommended the immediate deployment of 100
Peacekeeper missiles in existing Minuteman silos to demonstrate national will
and to compensate for the retirement of Titan II ICBMs. The Scowcroft report
also encouraged a vigorous examination of all basing alternatives. President
Reagan and Congress concurred with the Scowcroft Commission's findings and on 10
August 1983 the Secretary of Defense instructed the Air Force to deploy 100
Peacekeepers in Minuteman silos at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. At the same time,
the Defense Secretary directed the Air Force to initiate design of a small,
single-warhead ICBM.
The Air Force successfully conducted the first test flight of the Peacekeeper
June 17, 1983, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The missile traveled 4,190
miles (6,704 kilometers) before dropping six unarmed test re-entry vehicles on
planned target sites in the Kwajalein Missile Test Range in the Pacific
Ocean.
The first two test phases consisted of 12 test flights to ensure the
Peacekeeper's subsystems performed as planned, and to make final assessments of
its range and payload capability. The missile was fired from above-ground
canisters in its first eight tests. Thereafter, test flights were conducted from
Minuteman test silos reconfigured to simulate operational Peacekeeper sites.
Peacekeeper production began in February 1984. Under plans prepared by
Strategic Air Command, 50 Minuteman IIIs assigned to the 400th Strategic Missile
Squadron, 90th Strategic Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, were
be removed and replaced with Peacekeeper missiles, which had an estimated
service life of twenty years. Peacekeeper deployment was scheduled to begin in
January 1986 and initial operational capability was set for December of the same
year. The second increment of 50 missiles would replace Minuteman IIIs belonging
to the 319th Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren. The expected completion
date of the deployment was December 1989.
These plans were interrupted in July 1985 when Congress limited Peacekeeper
deployment to 50 missiles until the administration could produce a more
survivable basing plan. President Reagan's solution for basing the remaining 50
missiles, announced 19 December 1986, was Peacekeeper Rail Garrison. Three days
later, the 90th SMW achieved initial operational capability for Peacekeeper by
placing the first flight of ten missiles on strategic alert. Full operational
capability occurred in December 1988, when the 90th Strategic Missile Wing
accepted the fiftieth Peacekeeper missile.
Under the rail garrison concept, the remaining Peacekeeper missiles would be
placed on trains stationed at various U.S. Air Force installations. The 25
trains, each carrying two missiles, would deploy off-base and onto the national
railroad network during periods of international tension to improve
survivability. F.E. Warren AFB would serve as the Main Operating Base for the
rail garrison force. In February 1987, the Air Force selected ten additional
bases as candidate rail garrison locations. That same year, Congress
appropriated $350 million to fund rail garrison research and development.
Exercises conducted in 1988 tested and refined the concept of operations, and in
May the Secretary of Defense authorized the Air Force to proceed with
Peacekeeper Rail Garrison full scale development.
A further review of ICBM moderization produced a Presidential decision in
April 1989 that limited the Peacekeeper system to the existing 50 missiles but
directed they be redeployed from silos to rail garrison. In November, the Air
Force announced the selection of seven bases to house Peacekeeper Rail Garrison.
The Main Operating Base would be F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and the other six
bases were Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Grand Forks AFB,
North Dakota; Dyess AFB, Texas; Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan; and Fairchild AFB,
Washington. December 1992 was the date established for delivery of the first
asset.
The Air Force achieved initial operational capability of 10 deployed
Peacekeepers at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., in December 1986. Full operational
capability was achieved in December 1988 with the establishment of a squadron of
50 missiles. Ballistic Missile Organization, Air Force Materiel Command (now Detachment
10, Space and Missile Systems Center), began full-scale development of the
Peacekeeper in 1979. This organization, located at San Bernadino, Calif.,
integrated the activities of more than 27 civilian contractors and numerous
subcontractors to develop and build the Peacekeeper system.
Mission:
The
Peacekeeper missile is America's newest intercontinental ballistic
missile. Its deployment fulfilled a key goal of the strategic
modernization program and increased strength and credibility to the
ground-based leg of the U.S. strategic triad. With the end of
the Cold War, the U.S. has begun to revise its strategic policy and
has agreed to eliminate the multiple re-entry vehicle Peacekeeper
ICBMs by the year 2003 as part of the Strategic Arms Reduction
Treaty II.
Features:
The Peacekeeper is capable
of delivering 10 independently targeted warheads with greater
accuracy than any other ballistic missile. It is a three-stage
rocket ICBM system consisting of three major sections: the boost
system, the post-boost vehicle system and the re-entry system.
The boost system consists of three rocket stages
that launch the missile into space. These rocket stages are mounted
atop one another and fire successively. Each of the first three
stages exhausts its solid propellant materials through a single
movable nozzle that guides the missile along its flight path.
Following the burnout and separation of the
boost system's third rocket stage, the post-boost vehicle system, in
space, maneuvers the missile as its re-entry vehicles are deployed
in sequence.
The post-boost vehicle system is made up of a
maneuvering rocket, and a guidance and control system. The vehicle
rides atop the boost system, weighs about 3,000 pounds (1,363
kilograms) and is 4 feet (1.21 meters) long.
The top section of the Peacekeeper is the
re-entry system. It consists of the deployment module, up to 10
cone-shaped re-entry vehicles and a protective shroud. The shroud
protects the re-entry vehicles during ascent. It is topped with a
nose cap, containing a rocket motor to separate it from the
deployment module.
The deployment module provides structural
support for the re-entry vehicles and carries the electronics needed
to activate and deploy them. The vehicles are covered with material
to protect them during re-entry through the atmosphere to their
targets and are mechanically attached to the deployment module. The
attachments are unlatched by gas pressure from an explosive
cartridge broken by small, exploding bolts, which free the re-entry
vehicles, allowing them to separate from the deployment module with
minimum disturbance. Each deployed re-entry vehicle follows a
ballistic path to its target.
Background: The Air Force successfully
conducted the first test flight of the Peacekeeper June 17, 1983,
from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The missile traveled 4,190
miles (6,704 kilometers) before dropping six unarmed test re-entry
vehicles on planned target sites in the Kwajalein Missile Test Range
in the Pacific Ocean.
The first two test phases consisted of 12 test
flights to ensure the Peacekeeper's subsystems performed as planned,
and to make final assessments of its range and payload capability.
The missile was fired from above-ground canisters in its first eight
tests. Thereafter, test flights were conducted from Minuteman test
silos reconfigured to simulate operational Peacekeeper sites.
The Air Force achieved initial operational
capability of 10 deployed Peacekeepers at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., in
December 1986. Full operational capability was achieved in December
1988 with the establishment of a squadron of 50 missiles.
Ballistic Missile Organization, Air Force
Materiel Command (now Detachment 10, Space and Missile Systems
Center), began full-scale development of the Peacekeeper in 1979.
This organization, located at San Bernadino, Calif., integrated the
activities of more than 27 civilian contractors and numerous
subcontractors to develop and build the Peacekeeper
system
General
Characteristics
Primary
function: Intercontinental ballistic missile
Contractor:
Basing: Boeing Aerospace and
Electronics; assembly and test: Martin Marietta and Denver Aerospace
Power
Plant: First three stages,
solid-propellant; fourth stage, storable liquid (by Thiokol,
Aerojet, Hercules and Rocketdyne)
Length:
71 feet (21.8 meters)
Weight:
195,000 pounds (87,750
kilograms) including re-entry vehicles
Diameter: 7 feet,
8 inches (2.3 meters)
Range:
Greater than 6,000 miles (5,217
nautical miles)
Speed:
Approximately 15,000 miles per hour at burnout (Mach 20 at sea
level)
Guidance
system: Inertial;
integration by Rockwell, IMU by Northrop and Rockwell
Warheads: 10 Avco MK 21
re-entry vehicles
Date
Deployed: December
1986
Unit
Cost: $70 million
Inventory:
Active force, 50; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point Of
Contact: Air Force
Space Command, Public Affairs Office; 150 Vandenberg St., Suite
1105; Peterson AFB, CO 80914-4500; DSN 692-3978 or (719) 554-3978.
(Current as of April
1996)
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