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The LGM-30 Minuteman is a US land based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is the first solid fuel instant response ballistic missile in the US arsenal, meaning it could be launched instantly at any time (unlike the liquid fueled ballistic missiles already in use when it was originally made that took 30 minutes or longer to fill with liquid fuel and oxidizer before they could be launched). It has three rocket stages and carried nuclear warhead(s).
President Kennedy decided in early 1962 that we would field 1000 Minuteman missiles (an overwhelmingly large force considering that the previous Titan liquid fueled ICBM was only fielded 52 missiles) in clusters of underground silos, due to political pressure based on the incorrect perception that there was a "missile gap" where the USSR was believed to have more ICBMs than we did (Kennedy knew from CIA spy photos they did not but could not reveal this information to refute the "missile gap")
It came in three different versions over time:
- 1962 (Minuteman-I) carrying a single W56 thermonuclear warhead having a 1.2 megaton yield
- 1965 (Minuteman-II) carrying a single W56 thermonuclear warhead having a 1.2 megaton yield
- 1970 (Minuteman-III) carrying three W62 thermonuclear warheads each having a 170 kiloton yield
The first Minuteman-I installation based at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, MT was almost ready at the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis and was rushed to completion in case it was necessary to attack the USSR at that time. This frantic rush was found later to have produced so many errors that the entire facility had to be completely redone and it is questionable if it could have even been used had the Cuban Missile Crisis turned the cold war into a hot war.
Later on the Minuteman-III the three W62 warheads were replaced with three W78 warheads each having a 335-350 kiloton yield then with a single W87 warhead having a 300 kiloton yield. The single W87 warhead itself was eventually improved to have a 475 kiloton yield.
What else can I help you with?
When was Minuteman Project created?
Minuteman Project was created in 2005.
Who made sure that the minuteman were ready?
peee peee
What was the nickname for the colonial militia?
A single militiaman was a Minuteman
What was a member of the colonial militia in the us war of independence called?
He was called a MinuteMan, because he was ready at a moments notice
Why were some militia members known as minuteman?
Some militia members were known as minutemen because they were select members of the militia. They were given extra training and were ready to deploy at short notice.
When was Minuteman Project created?
Minuteman Project was created in 2005.
Paul Revere was a minuteman in which war?
Revere was alive in the American Revolution, but was never a minuteman. A "minuteman" was a man who fought in the war.
When was Minuteman Library Network created?
Minuteman Library Network was created in 1984.
When was Minuteman for the Moment created?
Minuteman for the Moment was created on 2005-10-04.
When was Minuteman Regional High School created?
Minuteman Regional High School was created in 1971.
Who were muinetmen?
You mean Minuteman, well a minuteman is a member of the colonial militia who was trained to respond at a minutes warning
Who was the minuteman?
Paul Revere
What is the nation guard for?
The Minuteman.
Where is the Minuteman Library located?
The Minuteman Library is located in Massachusetts. As of July 29, 2013, the Minuteman Library will be located at it's new address. The address is 961 Main St. in Millis MA. 02054
What is a synonym for minuteman?
colonists or patriots
Who was the first minuteman?
Paul Revere
Who was a famous minuteman?
Paul revere
