GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

LGM-30 Minuteman III vs R-17 Elbrus

LGM-30 Minuteman III vs R-17 Elbrus at a glance — range 14,000 vs 300 km, speed 28,200 vs 5,040 km/h, warhead 1,150 vs 985 kg, launch weight 36,030 vs 5,900 kg.

Specifications
LGM-30 Minuteman III R-17 Elbrus
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Ballistic Ballistic
Type Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Short-range ballistic missile
Manufacturer Boeing Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
Service year 1970 1962
Number produced 550 units 7,000 units
Estimated unit price $7 million $1 million
Range 14,000.0 km 300.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 23.0 Mach 4.1
Weight 36,030 kg 5,900 kg
Warhead 1150.0 kg 985.0 kg
Length 18.30 m 11.25 m
Diameter 1680 mm 885 mm
Guidance Inertial Inertial, boost phase only
Warhead type Nuclear High-explosive, cluster, chemical or nuclear
Scale Comparison
LGM-30 MINUTEMAN III 18.30 m R-17 ELBRUS 11.25 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs
Related Comparisons
LGM-30 Minuteman III vs RS-24 Yars LGM-30 Minuteman III vs R-12 Dvina LGM-30 Minuteman III vs R-27 Zyb LGM-30 Minuteman III vs AGM-69 SRAM LGM-30 Minuteman III vs Trident 2D5 LGM-30 Minuteman III vs RSD-10 Pioneer

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III has a longer range at 14,000 km compared to the R-17 Elbrus's 300 km.
Which is faster, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 23.0 compared to the R-17 Elbrus's Mach 4.1.
Which has a larger warhead, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III carries a larger warhead at 1,150 kg compared to the R-17 Elbrus's 985 kg.
Which is heavier, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III is heavier at 36,030 kg compared to the R-17 Elbrus's 5,900 kg.
Which is longer, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III is longer at 18.30 meters compared to the R-17 Elbrus's 11.25 meters.
What guidance systems do the LGM-30 Minuteman III and R-17 Elbrus use?
The LGM-30 Minuteman III uses Inertial guidance while the R-17 Elbrus uses Inertial, boost phase only guidance.
Which entered service first, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The R-17 Elbrus entered service first in 1962, 8 years before the LGM-30 Minuteman III which entered service in 1970.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the LGM-30 Minuteman III or R-17 Elbrus?
The R-17 Elbrus has been produced in greater numbers with 7,000 units compared to 550 units of the LGM-30 Minuteman III.