Posted on 06/16/2010 9:39:25 AM PDT by JoeProBono
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) -- The Air Force has test-launched a Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from California.
The ICBM lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3:01 a.m. Wednesday.....
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
The Minuteman III is an American land based nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of around 8,100 miles. Since it entered service 1970 it has been a component of the American nuclear triad deterrent. It is estimated that there are around 450 Minutemen III in the American arsenal.
This being the Obama Administration, it’ll probably destroy a small city in the Midwest whose local industry George Soros shorted on Monday.
They could have used that to plug the hole!
Excellent post
Or take someone we know that he believes is KING ‘S’ to out space.
That diagram is way wrong in it’s labels. The LA times doesn’t worry that much about accuracy, as we all know. You would think the Federation of American Scientists should do better.
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Well enlighten us
What they are calling the “nosecone” is the shroud, what they are calling the “second stage” is an interstage connector. It kindergarten kid bad.
I knew all that I thought i was missing something else Thanks
Minuteman-III MIRV launch sequence:
1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its 1st stage boost motor (A).
2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the 2nd stage motor (B) ignites. The missile shroud (E) is ejected.).
3. About 120 seconds after launch, the 3rd stage motor (C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage.).
4. About 180 seconds after launch, 3rd stage thrust terminates and the Post-Boost Vehicle (D) separates from the rocket.).
5. The Post-Boost Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment.).
6. The RVs, as well as decoys and chaff, are deployed during backaway.).
7. The RVs and chaff re-enter the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight.).
8. The nuclear warheads detonate, either as air bursts or ground bursts.
Accurate video of MM3. The action starts just before the two minute mark.
Accurate video of MM3. The action starts just before the two minute mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jFCmfAhhQg&feature=related
The guidance system is called the missile guidance set wafer and is mounted on the post boost propulsion system (essentially a stage IV). The whole guidance and manuvering stack-up is no more that 2 feet tall and the same diameter as the third stage.
All the mass under the Post boost system, in the diagram, should be in reality, identified as stage III and is separated prior to post boost manuvering.
What is identified as stage II is incorrectly depicted as the stage I-Stage II interstage. Stage II is the same diameter as stage III and would dounble the length of the depiction if properly shown
What is identified as the third stage is in fact the nose cap and shroud which has no thrust capability except the small thrusters that remove it from the RV buss stack when the missile escapes the aerodynamic effects of the atmosphere.
I maintained the Minuteman III in Montana for four years and launched them from Vandenberg AFB for another two years.
The media should be able to do better than this if they claim this is information accurate to the system. Makes you wonder about the other stuff you hear from them.
Thanks they really messed that up
Wonderful depiction by my old wing the 341st. I worked the “Odd Squad”, 564th, as an EMT and later in Wing as TTB (AFSC 316X0H)
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