Country: United States
Service Type: Yes
Missile Type: Surface and air-to-air missile
Washington DC (Washington Insider Magazine) — The LGM-30 Minuteman weapon system is a long-range ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. This missile is in service with the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Navy. The missile has a range of 3,500 kilometers and can reach a speed of Mach 6. It is armed with a Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle or MIRV. This missile can carry multiple nuclear warheads. The LGM-30 Minuteman Missile is a key part of the United States’ nuclear deterrent.
Introduction To LGM-30 Minuteman
The Minuteman Missile system is an American long-range nuclear missile system. Developed in the late 1950s, it is the backbone of the United States’ nuclear deterrent. As of 2018, the system consists of 4,200 ground-launched missiles, 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and 10 nuclear-armed submarines.
The system has been in continuous operation since 1959 and has never been used in combat. However, it is considered the most reliable nuclear weapon system in the world and has a 99% reliability rate. In total, the Minuteman system has been in service for 50 years and can protect against attack.
LGM-30 missiles are silo-based and are launched by a launch crew stationed in a control center. The missiles are armed with a single nuclear warhead and are operated by the United States Air Force. These missiles are tracked by a variety of ground- and satellite-based sensors. If the missile is detected by the sensor, the launch crew will immediately launch countermeasures, such as an anti-ballistic missile.
Specifications
- Mass: About 65,000 lb (29,000 kg) (Minuteman I), About 73,000 lb (33,000 kg) (Minuteman II), 79,432 lb (36,030 kg) (Minuteman III)[4]
- Length: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m) (Minuteman I/A), 55 ft 11 in (17.04 m) (Minuteman I/B), 57 ft 7 in (17.55 m) (Minuteman II), 59.9 ft (18.3 m) (Minuteman III)[4]
- Diameter: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) (1st stage)
- Warhead: Minuteman I: W59 (retired)
- Minuteman I and II: W56 (retired)
- Minuteman III: W62 (retired), W78 (active), or W87 (active)
- Detonation mechanism: Air-burst or contact (surface)
- Engine: Three-stage solid-fuel rocket engines
- First stage: Thiokol TU-122 (M-55) (178,000 lbf, 790 kN)
- Second stage: Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1 (60,181 lbf, 267.70 kN)
- Third stage: Aerojet/Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1 (34,170 lbf, 152.0 kN)
Recent Use In Battlefield
The US Navy was initially uncertain of the LGM-30 Minuteman; with which it had been collaborating with the US Army. Due to the risks posed by using liquid fuels in its vessels and submarines, the production came to a halt. However, quickly achieved success with the solid fuel program. It was manufactured alongside Edward Teller’s assurance of lighter warheads from Project Nobska. It proved to be a great incentive for the Navy to stay with Jupiter.
The LGM-30A Minuteman I was first tested on 1 February 1961 at Cape Canaveral and then entered the Strategic Air Command in 1962. Due to a defect that shortened the range from 6,300 miles (10,100 km) to 4,300 miles (6,900 km). The USAF chose Malmstrom AFB in Montana to station them rather than Vandenberg.
It can be deployed in the air force global strike command and reach their targets if launched over the North Pole. Improved versions of the LGM-30B Minuteman I were then installed at various locations. These areas include Ellsworth AFB (South Dakota), Minot AFB (North Dakota), F.E. Warren AFB (Wyoming), and Whiteman AFB (Missouri) from 1963 to 1964. Eventually, 800 of these missiles were placed at each base except F.E. Warren which had 200 Minuteman IBs and Malmstrom were tested by June 1965.
It comes with remote missile launch facilities and consists of five flights. Each flight consists of ten unmanned launch facilities (LFs). Each flight is controlled remotely by a manned launch control center (LCC). The LCC is typically operated by a two-officer crew, usually 24 hours a day. LFs are connected and any of the five LCCs can monitor the status of any LF. LFs are at least three nautical miles (5.6 km) from each LCC.
Buyers
The United States Air Force is the only operator of the Minuteman ICBM weapons system. A total of 450 missiles and 45 Missile Alert Facilities (MAFs) were active in the United States Air Force’s Minuteman ICBM inventory in FY 2009.
FAQS
1.How does The LGM-30 Works?
The intercontinental ballistic missile is a three-stage missile designed to be fired from a variety of surface-to-surface and air-to-air missile platforms. It is a highly accurate weapon with a range of up to 500 miles. It is a solid-fuel missile that is stored in a launch canister. After being armed and fueled, the launch canister is attached to the missile’s launcher.
2. What Is The Success Rate Of LGM-30?
The LGM-30 Minuteman Missile is a very reliable weapon and has a very high success rate. It is also a very effective weapon against targets such as aircraft, rocket motor, ships, and bunkers.
3. How Is LGM-30 Minuteman Deployed?
The system can be deployed from a variety of platforms, including air, land, and sea. The LGM-30 Minuteman is a very cost-effective weapon that can be used to defend the United States against a variety of threats.
4. What Is The Future Of LGM-30 Minuteman?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III is a major step forward in missile technology and is sure to play a role in the future of missile defense. It is a highly advanced missile system that is capable of targeting multiple targets. The missile launches a nuclear attack in a few seconds.
Read More: RUM-139 VL-ASROC: Specifications, Buyers & Recent Use In Battlefield
5. How The Minuteman Missile System Is Protected?
The LGM-30 Minuteman Missile system is protected by several different measures. The first measure is the missile itself. This missile is very advanced and is designed to be able to survive several different attacks. It also has several features that make it difficult to attack. The launch site is a very secure location and is protected by several measures. This site is surrounded by several barriers that make it difficult for anyone to attack the site.
