The the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is developed ...
Recently The Pentagon (USA's Department of Defense) has announced the latest test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile to "showcase" its nuclear capability.
- The launch of this missile will take place today at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California.
- The silo-launched missile will be tested without a warhead attached.
- The announcement comes amid rising geopolitical tensions as the Russia-Ukraine conflict drags on, the Israel-Hamas war escalates and US-China relations continue to deteriorate.
About Minuteman III missile:
- It is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range and first became operational in the early 1970s.
- Originally it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead it has been modernized as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) is due to become available for use in 2029.
- It is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile.
- Its length is 18.2 meters and Diameter is 1.85 meters.
- Its range is 6,000-plus miles and maximum range is about 8,000 miles.
- Boeing Corporation designed and manufactured this missile.
- The current ICBM force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles.
- It is currently the only land-based ICBM in the US nuclear arsenal, which also includes Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons carried by strategic bomber aircraft.
Hence option a is the correct answer.
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The the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is developed ...
The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is developed by the United States of America (USA). Here is a detailed explanation of this answer:
History and Background:
- The Minuteman missile program began in the late 1950s as a response to the growing threat of nuclear war during the Cold War era.
- The first Minuteman missile, Minuteman I, was deployed in 1962. It was followed by the improved Minuteman II in 1965 and eventually the Minuteman III in 1970.
Development and Features:
- The Minuteman III was developed by Boeing, an American aerospace company, under the guidance of the United States Air Force.
- It is an intercontinental ballistic missile, which means it is capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long distances.
- The missile has a range of approximately 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) and can travel at speeds of up to Mach 23 (around 17,500 miles per hour).
- It is a solid-fueled missile, which means it uses a solid propellant to generate thrust. This allows for a quicker launch time and greater reliability compared to liquid-fueled missiles.
- The Minuteman III is equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which means it can carry multiple warheads that can be aimed at different targets.
- It is also equipped with sophisticated guidance systems, including inertial navigation and global positioning systems, to ensure accuracy.
Operational Status:
- The Minuteman III has been the mainstay of the United States' land-based nuclear deterrent since its deployment in the early 1970s.
- The missile is housed in underground silos located across the United States, primarily in the states of Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
- Over the years, the Minuteman III has undergone various upgrades and life-extension programs to ensure its reliability and effectiveness.
- As of today, the Minuteman III remains an integral part of the United States' strategic nuclear forces, although plans are underway to replace it with the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) system in the coming years.
In conclusion, the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is developed by the United States of America. It is a vital component of the country's nuclear deterrence capability and has played a significant role in maintaining global security during the Cold War and beyond.
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