Minuteman III |ForumIAS

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Source-This post on Minuteman III has been created based on the article “On Cam: Nuclear-capable Minuteman III ICBM Lights Up U.S. Skies Amid Tensions With Russia” published in “Hindustan Times ” on 6 June 2024.

Why in News?

The US Air Force recently tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

About	Description
About LGM-30G Minuteman III	1. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) first deployed by the United States Air Force (USAF) in the 1960s. 2. It is the only land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad. 3. Originally intended for a ten-year service life, it has been continuously modernized, with its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), expected to be available by 2029. 4. It was the first U.S. missile equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). 5. The U.S. currently has approximately 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
Designed and manufactured by	Boeing Corporation.
Features	1. Three-Stage, Solid-Fuel Design: The missile consists of three stages powered by solid fuel. 2. Dimensions: It is 18.2 meters long, with a diameter of 1.85 meters, and a launch weight of 34,467 kilograms. 3. Range and Payload: The Minuteman III has a maximum range of 13,000 kilometers and can carry a payload of three reentry vehicles. 4. Current Warhead Configuration: It now carries a single nuclear warhead in accordance with arms control agreements between the United States and Russia. 5. Reliability and Launch Capabilities: The missile boasts a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and has backup airborne launch controllers to maintain retaliatory capabilities.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

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