I will have to go along with the govmints decision to phase out Peacekeeper. I was an engineer on the second stage motor and have a few tidbits to offer.
1. We have more than 50 Peacekeepers. In fact we have more than 100. The extras are traveling around the country in trailers while maintainence is performed. We will have Peackeepers to spare for quite sometime without new production.
2. It is the most deadly weapon system ever produced but is just not cost effective to maintain. Solid propellant systems need to be periodically regrained and Peacekeepers very flexible Kevlar-epoxy shell doesn't lend itself well to cutting out the old propellant with water jets as is done with minuteman and other rockets.
3. Peacekeeper has problems with flight enhanced erosion of the rubber insulation system that may be cutting into the design margins depending on the results of current surveilance and aging studies. Once the insulators are shot it is probability no longer possible to regrain. The hardware would have to be stripped and a whole new motor wound, insulated, and cast. $$$$$$$$$$$
4. Everything was sacrificed for performance on Peacekeeper and little thought was given to longivity, other components such as exit cones, gas generators, etc. may have a fixed life that is nearing the end.
5. Peacekeeper doesn't really have a mission anymore.
6. Minuteman with its steel shells can be upgraded and regrained for many more decades. It is easier to handle too. You don't have to worry as much about delaminations from hitting bumps in the road.
- Good.
"2. It is the most deadly weapon system ever produced but is just not cost effective to maintain. Solid propellant systems need to be periodically regrained and Peacekeepers very flexible Kevlar-epoxy shell doesn't lend itself well to cutting out the old propellant with water jets as is done with minuteman and other rockets."
-Build More!
"3. Peacekeeper has problems with flight enhanced erosion of the rubber insulation system that may be cutting into the design margins depending on the results of current surveilance and aging studies. Once the insulators are shot it is probability no longer possible to regrain. The hardware would have to be stripped and a whole new motor wound, insulated, and cast. $$$$$$$$$$$"
- Build more, learn from our mistakes, build better.
"4. Everything was sacrificed for performance on Peacekeeper and little thought was given to longivity, other components such as exit cones, gas generators, etc. may have a fixed life that is nearing the end."
- Like I said, build more, build better.
"5. Peacekeeper doesn't really have a mission anymore."
- Reread the thread in its entirety..... its the only viable land-based system we have.
"6. Minuteman with its steel shells can be upgraded and regrained for many more decades. It is easier to handle too. You don't have to worry as much about delaminations from hitting bumps in the road."
- Minuteman is a 60's & 70's platform. The MX is way more survivable in flight and far more accurate. Until we ahve better, we had better not retire the MX, because the last time I checked, we haven't developed new nukes since 1993. Hell, we haven't even tested our current stocks.