General 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 president and secretary of defense 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 E-6B 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 president's orders.

An extensive life extension program is under way to keep the missiles safe, secure and reliable well into the 21st century. These major 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.

History of Minuteman ICBM
The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and Minuteman I was deployed in the early 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 America's nuclear Triad. Minuteman's maintenance concept capitalizes on high reliability and a "remove and replace" approach to achieve a near 100 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, improved accuracy and survivability. Today's Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 40 years of continuous enhancement.

The current Minuteman force consists of 500 Minuteman III's located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Minot AFB, N.D. The last round of base realignment and closing decisions has forced a realignment of Minuteman missiles from Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to Malmstrom AFB. The possible implementation of Start II, means that Minuteman III will become the only land-based ICBM in the Triad. An extensive life extension program is underway to keep the remaining missiles safe, secure and reliable well into the 21st Century. These major 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.

LGM-30 MINUTEMAN III Tecnical Specifications

LGM-30 MINUTEMAN III ICBM is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

The Taepo Dong-1 is based off of North Korea’s Nodong missile line that they have developed, first spotted at a North Korean missile test site in 1994 and is believed to be an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, but details are scarce on its true range and abilities. In 1998 North Korea attempted to launch a satellite using the Taepo Dong-1 missile but details are sketchy on whether or not this was really a satellite launch or a standard missile test, in its flight the missile Flew over Japan, the second stage of the missile landed in the sea, off the Sanriku coast of Japan, no trace of the satellite was detected.  In September 1997 in talks in Berlin North Korea agreed to a moratorium of testing of its long range missiles.

Estimated capabilities of the Taepo Dong-1 based of a pool of current data and government resources available to the public.

Taepo Dong-1 - Technical Specification

1. Chemical/Biological
2. HE “High Explosive”
3. Nuclear

Taepo Dong-1 Missile is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons