Explanation:
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). "L" in LGM is the US Department of Defence designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Minuteman III was the first missile in the US arsenal to feature multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
It is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed for the United States by Douglas Aircraft Company, which later became part of McDonnell Douglas and then Boeing.
Originally, it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead, it has been modernised as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is due to become available for use in 2029. The United States currently has an estimated 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
Features — The missile operates using a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket engine. It stands 18.2 metres tall, has a diameter of 1.85 metres, and weighs over 34,000 kilograms at launch.
Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout (Hypersonic).
Range: With a maximum range of approximately 13,000 kilometres, the Minuteman III is capable of reaching targets across continents.
It is capable of carrying a payload of three re-entry vehicles. Originally capable of carrying three nuclear warheads, current configurations carry a single warhead, in compliance with arms control agreements.
Each missile is housed in a hardened underground silo, connected to a launch control centre via reinforced cables. Around-the-clock monitoring is conducted by dual-officer crews who maintain constant alert status. It has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities.
Explanation:
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). "L" in LGM is the US Department of Defence designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Minuteman III was the first missile in the US arsenal to feature multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
It is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed for the United States by Douglas Aircraft Company, which later became part of McDonnell Douglas and then Boeing.
Originally, it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead, it has been modernised as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is due to become available for use in 2029. The United States currently has an estimated 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
Features — The missile operates using a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket engine. It stands 18.2 metres tall, has a diameter of 1.85 metres, and weighs over 34,000 kilograms at launch.
Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout (Hypersonic).
Range: With a maximum range of approximately 13,000 kilometres, the Minuteman III is capable of reaching targets across continents.
It is capable of carrying a payload of three re-entry vehicles. Originally capable of carrying three nuclear warheads, current configurations carry a single warhead, in compliance with arms control agreements.
Each missile is housed in a hardened underground silo, connected to a launch control centre via reinforced cables. Around-the-clock monitoring is conducted by dual-officer crews who maintain constant alert status. It has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities.
