Aircraft/Missile Information
The LGM-30F Minuteman II was an American nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The LGM-30F Minuteman II was an improved version of the Minuteman I missile. Development on the Minuteman-II began in 1962. Minuteman II production began in 1965. Deployment of the new ICBM began in 1966. By 1967, production of the Minuteman II missile was completed. The last of the 500 missiles remained in service up to 1998.
The Minuteman II missile increased range, payload over its predecessor and its guidance system gave better azimuthal coverage, providing military planners with better accuracy and a wider range of targets. Some missiles also carried penetration aids, allowing higher probability of success against anti-ballistic missile system that by this time depolyed by the Soviet Union around Moscow.
The Minuteman II program was economically crucial to the development of integrated circuits. It was the first mass-produced system to use a computer constructed from integrated circuits.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General Information Developed by USA Deployed by USA Development Year 1963 Deployment Year 1966 Retirement Year 1998 Number deployed 500 Contractor Boeing Aerospace
Dimensions and Performance Length 18.2m Body Diameter 1.8m(Base) Launch Weight 31,746kg Range 12,500km Accuracy 200m CEP
Components Propulsion 3-stage solid-fuel rocket motor Payload single warhead Mk 11C RV + penetration aids Warhead W-56 1.2MT nuclear warhead Guidance inertial
