Missile LGM-30 Minuteman III

The LGM-30 Minuteman's development commenced in the mid-1950s, driven by the potential of solid-fuel rocket motors to maintain launch readiness for extended periods, a distinct advantage over liquid-fueled contemporaries. The missile was named to reflect its rapid deployment capability. Initial versions entered service in 1962, originally intended as a second-strike deterrent. Subsequent enhancements led to the Minuteman II in 1965, featuring improved accuracy suitable for targeting hardened military sites and incorporating upgrades to counter developing anti-ballistic missile systems. The Minuteman III, introduced in 1970, was notably the first deployed ICBM equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The impetus for the Minuteman program also stemmed from a desire to reduce ICBM costs and increase deployment numbers, influenced by concepts like integrated missile "farms" and the perceived "missile gap" with the Soviet Union. Key technological advancements included pioneering work on solid-fuel casting, thrust termination for accuracy, and the development of a reliable, continuously operating inertial guidance system using a digital computer, the D-17B, which allowed for targeting flexibility and in-field updates. Boeing served as the manufacturer for the Minuteman system.

The Minuteman is a three-stage, solid-fuel propelled intercontinental ballistic missile designed for land-based deployment from missile silos. Its capabilities evolved significantly across its variants. Successive iterations offered extended operational range and marked improvements in targeting precision due to refinements in its inertial guidance system. The Minuteman I initially carried a single warhead, with later models like the Minuteman III designed to deploy multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, enhancing its ability to engage multiple targets or overcome missile defenses, though later configurations reverted to a single warhead. The system was also designed to carry penetration aids to improve warhead survivability. The Minuteman III variant featured a post-boost propulsion system for fine trajectory adjustments and precise warhead deployment. The missile system is capable of achieving very high speeds during its terminal phase, and its warheads can be detonated either as an air-burst or upon contact with the surface.

The LGM-30 Minuteman has been exclusively operated by the United States Air Force, forming the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. The Minuteman I entered service in 1962, with subsequent versions, Minuteman II and Minuteman III, being introduced in 1965 and 1970, respectively. At its peak, a substantial force of Minuteman missiles was deployed, with this number reducing over time to several hundred Minuteman III missiles in recent decades. These missiles have been stationed in hardened underground silos at various Air Force Bases, including Malmstrom, Minot, F.E. Warren, and formerly at Ellsworth, Whiteman, and Grand Forks. The system's role evolved from a countervalue deterrent to a counterforce weapon capable of targeting hardened enemy military assets. Regular operational test launches are conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base to validate readiness and accuracy. A key component of its operational posture is the Airborne Launch Control System, providing a survivable launch capability. The Minuteman III is slated for progressive replacement by the LGM-35 Sentinel. The Minuteman missile was also considered for other roles, including a mobile rail-based version and as part of the Emergency Rocket Communications System.