The US military has set its latest Minuteman III missile launch to “showcase” its nuclear capability.

The United States military recently conducted a Minuteman III missile launch, showcasing its nuclear capability. The Minuteman III is a vital component of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces, managed by the Air Force Global Strike Command.

Background: The Evolution of Minuteman

• The Minuteman missile system originated in the late 1950s, with the deployment of Minuteman I in the early 1960s.
• It marked a revolutionary leap in technology, offering rapid reaction times and superior survivability compared to its predecessors.
• Over almost six decades, the system has undergone continuous enhancements, incorporating modernization programs, expanded targeting options, and improved accuracy and survivability.
• Today’s Minuteman weapon system reflects nearly 60 years of advancements.

Features of the Minuteman III Missile

Primary Function and Designation

• The Minuteman III is an American land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• The “L” in LGM signifies silo-launched; “G” denotes surface attack; “M” stands for guided missile, with “30” representing the Minuteman series, and the “G” after “30” indicating the current Minuteman III variant.

Operational Capabilities

• The Minuteman III is a strategic weapon system employing a ballistic missile with intercontinental range.
• Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos, ensuring protection against attacks, and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of robust cables.
• Launch crews, consisting of two officers, maintain around-the-clock alerts in the launch control center, ensuring readiness.

Maintenance and Reliability

• Minuteman’s maintenance concept emphasizes high reliability and a “remove and replace” approach, achieving nearly 100 percent alert rate.
• The system’s inertially guided, highly survivable nature has been a cornerstone of America’s strategic deterrent program.

General Characteristics of Minuteman III

Contractor and Propulsion

• The Minuteman III missile system is developed by Boeing Co.
• It is powered by three solid-propellant rocket motors: First Stage ATK refurbished M55A1, Second Stage ATK refurbished SR-19, and Third Stage ATK refurbished SR-73.

Specifications

• Weight: 79,432 pounds (36,030 kilograms)
• Diameter: 5 feet (1.67 meters)
• Range: 6,000-plus miles (5,218 nautical miles)
• Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout
• Ceiling: 700 miles (1,120 kilometers)

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