Minuteman III nuclear missile and its mobile launcher have been deployed outside Washington, DC! It is not known how many of these mobile launchers have been deployed, but the photo shows it is, in fact, deployed. Now we have proof something is terribly wrong with today, and it must be somehow related to the inauguration of Joe Biden.
I will not reveal the location of this particular launcher, for obvious security reasons, but it is DEPLOYED.
LGM-30 Minuteman III
Five hundred Minuteman III missiles are deployed at four bases in the north- central United States: Minot AFB and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Operational since 1968, the model "G" differs from the "F" in the third stage and reentry system. The third stage is larger and provides more thrust for a heavier payload. The payload, the Mark 12 reentry system, consists of a payload mounting platform, penetration aids, three reentry vehicles (RVs) and an aerodynamic shroud. The shroud protects the RVs during the early phases of flight. The mounting platform is also a "payload bus" and contains a restartable hypergolic rocket engine powered by hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. With this configuration, the RVs can be independently aimed at different targets within the missile's overall target area or "footprint". This concept is known as Multiple Independently Targeted Reentry Vehicles (MIRV).
The LGM-30 Minuteman 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 National Command Authorities 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 EC-135 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 NCA orders.
The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and 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.
By the time the last Minuteman IIs of the 564th SMS were placed on strategic alert in the spring of 1967, significant progress had been made on the development of an even more advanced ICBM. The Minuteman III, using modernized Minuteman I and Minuteman II ground facilities, provided reentry vehicle and penetration aids deployment flexibility, increased payload, and improved survivability in a nuclear environment. Its liquid injection attitude control system with a fixed nozzle on an improved third stage motor increased the Minuteman's range and the Minuteman III reentry system could deploy penetration aids and up to three Mark 12 or Mark 12A multiple independently-targetable reentry vehicles. A liquid-fueled post-boost propulsion system maneuvered the missile prior to deployment of the reentry vehicles, while upgraded guidance system electronics enhanced computer memory and accuracy.
On 17 April 1970, an important Minuteman III milestone was reached when the first missile was placed in a silo assigned to the 741st Strategic Missile Squadron, Minot AFB, North Dakota. At the end of December, the 741st SMS became the first SAC Minuteman III squadron to achieve operational status.
Strategic Air Command expected Minuteman to play an important role in the command's force structure beyond the year 2000. To ensure the reliability and maintainability of the Minuteman force into the next century, the Air Force initiated a major Minuteman upgrade and modification program. Rivet MILE (Minuteman Integrated Life Extension Program) began 1 April 1985 at the 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana. This joint Strategic Air Command and Air Force Logistics Command effort was the largest single missile logistics program ever undertaken within the ICBM program.
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, significantly improved accuracy and survivability. Today's Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 35 years of continuous enhancement.
Peacekeeper missile deployment also affected the Minuteman force. As part of the strategic modernization program undertaken in 1982, Strategic Air Command deployed fifty Peacekeeper missiles in modified Minuteman III silos assigned to the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron, 90th Strategic Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Conversion began on 3 January 1986, when the first Minuteman came off alert, and the phaseout of the 400th SMS's Minuteman IIIs was completed on 11 April 1988.
The current Minuteman force consists of 530 Minuteman III's located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; Minot AFB, N.D.; and Grand Forks AFB, N.D. As a result of U.S. initiatives to cancel development programs for new intercontinental ballistic missiles and retire the Peacekeeper ICBM, Minuteman will become the only land-based ICBM in the Triad. To compensate for termination of the Small ICBM and Peacekeeper Rail Garrison programs, DOD will conduct an extensive life extension program to keep Minuteman viable beyond the turn of the 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.
In order to meet warhead levels set by START II, the United States has decided to permanently DEMIRV Minuteman III missiles from their current capability to carry up to three reentry vehicles to a newly configured single reentry vehicle system once the treaty enters into force. "Downloading" Minuteman III missiles from three reentry vehicles to one lowers the military value of each missile; reduces the likelihood of any country expending resources to preemptively attack America's ICBM force; and decreases the probability of future US leaders being force into a "use or lose" position. For a downsized force of 500 single reentry vehicle Minuteman III to continue to be an effective deterrent force, the guidance replacement program will improve the needed accuracy and supportability that is inherent in a smaller missile force. Peacekeeper missiles will be deactivated by 2003, provided START II is ratified and enters into force. Ultimately, a total of 500 single RV Minuteman IIIs will be the nation's ICBM deterrent force through 2020.
TRANSPORTER / ERECTOR / LAUNCHERS
A unique vehicle, the Boeing Transporter/Erector Loader (TEL) semitrailer was used to transport the Minuteman I missile and emplace/remove it at the launch facility. The container was sixty-five feet long, ten feet wide, thirteen feet tall, and contained 8,030 cubic feet of interior space. It weighed 24,700 pounds when empty and cost just under $700,000. It was environmentally controlled by the tractor when on the road and by the onboard air conditioner when stored. Power to operate the trailer when emplacing/removing the missile also came from the tractor. The Transporter/Erector Semitrailer was pulled by a specially-designed 1963 GMC tractor. The container could also be used (without the tractor) to transport the missile by rail.
With a very unique "cab-under" design, one version of the transporter erector was brought into service in the early 1960s to emplace and remove the original Minuteman I missiles assigned to Warren. Beginning in 1973, the transporter erector underwent minor modifications to transition to the newer Minuteman III missile being deployed here.
Commonly known as the "old TE," its container is 65 feet long, 10 feet wide, 13 feet tall, and has around 8,030 cubic feet of interior space available to work with. It weighs approximately 24,700 pounds when empty and around 107,150 pounds loaded and originally cost just under $700,000. In late 1989, the old transporter erector was retired as the new and improved one came onboard to not only take its place but to continue the lasting legacy set by the original.
Paragraph 5 of Article IV of START I limited the number of transporter-loaders for ICBMs for road-mobile launchers of ICBMs. Restricting transporter-loaders constrains a Party's ability to reload mobile launchers rapidly after they have been fired. For road-mobile ICBMs with a single warhead, the Treaty allows two transporter-loaders per type per deployment area or test range, and a total of six transporter loaders in other areas, provided that the total does not exceed thirty. Note that paragraph 7 of Article V of the Treaty bans transporter-loaders for road-mobile launchers of ICBMs with multiple warheads and for rail-mobile launchers of ICBMs.
On June 4, 2013 DRS Technologies, Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced that it received a $25 million contract from the US Air Force for the design, development and delivery of two Transporter Erector Replacement Program [ERP] Vehicles to support the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Minuteman III fleet. If all options are exercised by the Air Force, the total program value for up to 26 mobile vehicles under this contract could reach over $92 million.
The Transporter Erector is a vehicle used for transporting, positioning and removing the Minuteman III booster at launch facilities at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; Hill AFB, Utah; and Vandenberg AFB, California. The current Transporter Erector used by the Air Force was fielded in 1988. The Air Force Global Strike Command, overseeing this replacement, requires a modern and forward-looking system that will sustain booster handling operations through 2030.
Under the Air Force Transporter Erector Replacement Program, DRS Environmental Systems in Cincinnati, Ohio, will redesign and build new transport vehicles that will fully modernize the operational system. The design and development of the first two Transporter Erectors to be used in system qualification are due to be completed in November 2015. If all production options are exercised, 26 Transporter Erectors will be delivered to the Air Force through September 2019.
“DRS will draw upon its 40 years of experience with system engineering, design, and production of mission-critical mobile shelters and transport trailers for the military,” said Roger Sexauer, president of DRS Power and Environmental Systems. “The Environmental Systems Team has been supporting the Air Force ICBM program office for over 20 years and is committed to providing continued support to a critical part of the our Nation’s strategic deterrent forces,” according to Sexauer.
UPDATE 10:24 AM EST --
We are now told this particular photo is from LEXINGTON, KY and that the missile erector launcher arrived overnight and deployed upon arrival. These missiles are very long range, 6,000 miles+. Their warheads can go into space then go wherever on the planet they're aimed, and make re-entry over that target. WHY the most deadly weapons in the US military arsenal are now field deployed inside the USA is not yet known.
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