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Arsenal/Missile/LGM-30G Minuteman III
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United States · Active strategic deterrent

LGM-30G Minuteman III

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

The silo-launched land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad, maintained at high readiness for strategic deterrence.

Introduced1970
SpeedHypersonic ballistic flight
Range13,000+ km class
CrewSilo and command crews
Platform profile

Technical overview

Manufacturer
Originally Boeing-led
Primary role
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
Dimensions
Approx. 18.2 m length
Operators
United States Air Force
Variants
LGM-30G Minuteman III
Operational status
Active strategic deterrent
Complete platform dossier

LGM-30G Minuteman III details

Identity

Full name
LGM-30G Minuteman III
Type
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
Manufacturer
Originally Boeing-led
Country of origin
United States
Entered service
1970
Operator
United States Air Force

Strategic role

  • Strategic nuclear deterrence
  • Land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad
  • High-readiness intercontinental response capability

Variants

LGM-30G
Current Minuteman III system
Successor
Planned replacement by the LGM-35A Sentinel

Performance

Range
13,000+ km class
Speed
Hypersonic ballistic flight; commonly cited around Mach 20+ during peak or re-entry phases
Launch method
Underground missile silo

Propulsion

  • Three-stage solid-fuel rocket
  • Solid propulsion supports long-term readiness

Launch and readiness

  • Deployed in hardened underground silos
  • Maintained at high readiness
  • Distributed silo basing supports deterrence and survivability

Guidance

  • Inertial guidance system
  • Guidance and control components modernized throughout service life

Warhead

Payload
Nuclear
Re-entry configuration
Originally designed with MIRV capability; current deployment is constrained by U.S. policy and treaty-related force structure

Strategic triad

Land-based leg
Minuteman III silo force
Sea-based leg
Ballistic-missile submarines
Air-based leg
Nuclear-capable strategic bombers

Strengths

  • Intercontinental reach
  • Long-serving and repeatedly modernized
  • High readiness
  • Central role in U.S. strategic deterrence

Limitations

  • Silo locations are fixed
  • Aging system requires continuing sustainment
  • Planned for replacement by LGM-35A Sentinel

Operators and customers

United States Air Force

Interesting facts

  1. One of the world’s longest-serving ICBM systems.
  2. Forms the land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad.
  3. Its eventual replacement is planned to be the LGM-35A Sentinel.