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1994-11-02
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The Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was the first solid-
fueled, nuclear-tipped missile to enter U.S. service. Its purpose was to
carry a nuclear warhead to enemy targets in any country, should the United
States be attacked.
The Minuteman silo is heavily constructed of concrete and steel and capped
with retractable steel covers. To reduce the chance of all missiles being
knocked out of action, the silos are spaced at least 4.5 miles apart, and the
control facilities are located in a separate underground bunker 11.5 miles
away. The officers must individually and simultaneously verify the launch
code and then turn separate keys in their launch consoles before a missile
can be launched. And then only if the President has initiated the command
sequence.
The Minuteman III's current warhead is the W-78, which yields an equivalent
of 331 kilotons of TNT. Three of these are carried in the reentry vehicle,
which sits atop each Minuteman III along with various penetration aids, jam-
ming devices, and decoy missile reentry vehicles. Production of the Minute-
man III ended in 1977. Currently, the Minuteman III is deployed as the first
line ICBM in the U.S. arsenal.