U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

LGM-30G MINUTEMAN III

Mission

The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental

ballistic missile, or ICBM, is an element of the

nation's strategic deterrent forces under the

control of the Air Force Global Strike

Command. The "L" in LGM is the Department

of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G"

means surface attack; and "M" stands for

guided missile.

Features

The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system

using a ballistic missile of intercontinental

range. Missiles are dispersed in hardened

silos to protect against attack and connected

to an underground launch control center

through a system of hardened cables. Launch

crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center.

A variety of communication systems provide the president and secretary of defense with highly

reliable, virtually instantaneous direct contact with each launch crew. 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. Fully qualified airborne missile combat

crews aboard airborne launch control center aircraft would execute the president's orders.

An extensive life extension program is underway to keep the remaining missiles safe, secure

and reliable well into the 21st century. These major programs include: remanufacture of the

solid-propellant rocket motors, replacement of standby power systems, repair of launch

facilities, and installation of updated, survivable communications equipment and additional

security enhancements.

Background

The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and Minuteman I was

deployed in the early 1960s. Minuteman was a revolutionary concept and an extraordinary

technical achievement. 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. From the beginning, Minuteman missiles have

provided a quick-reacting, inertially guided, highly survivable component to America's strategic

deterrent program. Minuteman's maintenance concept capitalizes on high reliability and a

"remove and replace" approach to achieve a near 100 percent alert rate.

Through state-of-the-art improvements, the Minuteman system has evolved to meet new

challenges and assume new missions. Modernization programs have resulted in new versions

of the missile, expanded targeting options, improved accuracy and survivability. Today's

Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 40 years of continuous enhancement.

The current Minuteman force consists of 450 Minuteman III's located at the 90th Missile Wing

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at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 91st

Missile at Minot AFB, N.D.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Intercontinental ballistic missile

Contractor: Boeing Co.

Power Plant: Three solid-propellant rocket motors; first stage - Thiokol; second stage - AerojetGeneral; third stage - United Technologies Chemical Systems Division

Thrust: First stage, 202,600 pounds

Length: 59.9 feet (18 meters)

Weight: 79,432 pounds (36,030 kilograms)

Diameter: 5.5 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)

Date deployed: June 1970, production cessation: December 1978

Inventory: Active force, 450; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0

Point of Contact

Air Force Global Strike Command, Public Affairs Office; 245 Davis Ave. E, Room 230;

Barksdale AFB, LA 71110; 318- 456-1305; or DSN 781-1305; e-mail:

afgsc.pa@barksdale.af.mil

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