Minuteman III Missile

Minuteman III Latest News

The United States Air Force (USAF) recently conducted a successful test launch of the nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which can deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere on Earth.

About Minuteman III 

• The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• “L” in LGM is the US Department of Defense 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 modernized 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.

Minuteman III 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 center 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.

Minuteman III FAQs

Q1: Which country developed the Minuteman III missile?

Ans: United States

Q2: What type of missile is the Minuteman III?

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Ans: Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

Q3: What is the approximate maximum range of the Minuteman III missile?

Ans: 13,000 km

Source: TOI