9. ICBM LGM-30 Minuteman III
The LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBM is part of the US strategic deterrent force – it is intended to prevent enemies from attacking the country. It is called ICBM because that is its primary function: The letter “L” is how the Department of Defense designates missiles launched from a hardened silo. The letter “G” stands for a surface attack. The letter “M” means it is a guided missile.
Minuteman missiles have been in service since the late 1950s. Rapid response, inertial guidance, high reliability, high accuracy and the ability to identify targets at significant ranges are all features of these weapons. More than 450 Minuteman III missiles have been deployed in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota as of 2015. Since the first Minuteman I missile was deployed in the 1960s, the missile series has been continuously modified and improved. These rockets, designed by Boeing, have a minimum of:
Three solid rocket motors with three ATK stages.
Three stages of chemical propulsion, including 203,158 pounds in the first stage, 60,793 pounds in the second stage, and 35,086 pounds in the third stage.
Range of more than 6,000 miles.
Speed of about 15,000 mph
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