Mission The LGM-30 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile is an element of the nations strategic deterrent forces. 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 National Command Authority (NCA) 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 EC- 135 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 NCA orders. Background The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and deployed in the mid-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 Americas nuclear Triad. Minutemans maintenance concept capitalizes on high reliability and a "remove and replace" approach to achieve a near one-hundred 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, and significantly improved accuracy. Todays Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 30 years of continuous enhancement. The current Minuteman force consists of 500 Minuteman IIIs located at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, Minot AFB, N.D., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D. The 450 Minuteman II force is undergoing deactivation at Whiteman AFB, Mo., Ellsworth AFB, S.D. and Malmstrom AFB, Mont. As a result of U.S. initiatives to cancel development programs for new intercontinental ballistic missiles and retire the Peacekeeper ICBM, Minuteman will become the only land-based ICBM in the Triad. To compensate for termination of the Small ICBM and Peacekeeper Rail Garrison programs, the Department of Defense will conduct an extensive life extension program to keep Minuteman viable beyond the turn of the century. Six major programs were identified by DOD as essential in order to maintain the land-based leg of the Triad. These programs include: replacement of the aging guidance system, remanufacture of the solid-propellant rocket motors, replacement of standby power systems, repair of launch facilities, and installation of updated, survivable communications equipment and new command and control consoles to enhance immediate communications between the launch crew and the NCA. General Characteristics Primary Function: Intercontinental ballistic missile. Contractor: Boeing Co. Power Plant: Three solid-propellant rocket motors; first stage, Thiokol; second stage, Aerojet-General; third stage, Aerojet- General/Thiokol. Thrust: First stage, 202,600 pounds (91,170 kilograms). Length: 60 feet (18.18 meters). Weight: 78,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms). Diameter: 5.5 feet (1.67 meters). Range: 6,000-plus miles (5,218 nautical miles). Speed: 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout. Ceiling: 700 miles (1,120 kilometers). Load: Re-entry vehicle: General Electric MK 12 or MK 12A. Guidance System: Inertial system: Autonetics Division of Rockwell International. Ground electronic/security system: Sylvania Electronics Systems and Boeing Co. Warheads: Three. (Will be downloaded to one in accordance with the Washington Summit Agreement, June 1992.) Unit Cost: $7 million. Date Deployed: June 1970. Production cessation: December 1978. Inventory: Active force, 500 Minuteman IIIs; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0 (Note: 450 MMIIs were taken off alert by President Bush in September 1991. Minuteman II retirement has begun and will be complete by 1997.) Point Of Contact: Air Combat Command; Public Affairs Office; 90 Oak Street; Langley AFB, VA 23665-2191; DSN 574-5007, (804) 764-5007.