![]() An extensive life extension program is underway to keep the remaining missiles safe, secure and reliable well into the 21st Century. The possible implementation of Start II, means that Minuteman III will become the only land-based ICBM in the Triad. The last round of base realignment and closing decisions has forced a realignment of Minuteman missiles from Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to Malmstrom AFB. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Minot AFB, N.D. The current Minuteman force consists of 500 Minuteman III's located at F.E. Today's Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 40 years of continuous enhancement. ![]() Modernization programs have resulted in new versions of the missile, expanded targeting options, improved accuracy and survivability. Through state-of-the-art improvements, the Minuteman system has evolved to meet new challenges and assume new missions. ![]() Minuteman's maintenance concept capitalizes on high reliability and a "remove and replace" approach to achieve a near 100 percent alert rate. From the beginning, Minuteman missiles have provided a quick-reacting, inertially guided, highly survivable component to America's nuclear Triad. Both the missile and basing components incorporated significant advances beyond the relatively slow-reacting, liquid-fueled, remotely-controlled intercontinental ballistic missiles of the previous generation. Minuteman was a revolutionary concept and an extraordinary technical achievement. The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and Minuteman I was deployed in the early 1960s. These major programs include: replacement of the aging guidance system, remanufacture of the solid-propellant rocket motors, replacement of standby power systems, repair of launch facilities, and installation of updated, survivable communications equipment, and new command and control consoles to enhance immediate communications. Fully qualified airborne missile combat crews aboard airborne launch control center aircraft would execute the president's orders.Īn extensive life extension program is under way to keep the missiles safe, secure and reliable well into the 21st century. Should command capability be lost between the launch control center and remote missile launch facilities, specially configured E-6B airborne launch control center aircraft automatically assume command and control of the isolated missile or missiles. ![]() Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center.Ī variety of communication systems provide the president and secretary of defense with highly reliable, virtually instantaneous direct contact with each launch crew. Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range. The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched "G" means surface attack and "M" stands for guided missile. The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is an element of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.
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