Air Force tests missile in launch from Calif coast

I’m confused U.S.A./Rus say its takes thier nukes 15 minutes to reach each other at 24K MPH (just over Mach 30) it seems as if it would be 1 hour before the missiles reach unless they go 96,000 mph (15 minutes)????

Based on what launch sites?

May have something to do with sub-launched missiles or something to do with trajectories (no idea what i’m saying here).

I’m confused U.S.A./Rus say its takes thier nukes 15 minutes to reach each other at 24K MPH (just over Mach 30) it seems as if it would be 1 hour before the missiles reach unless they go 96,000 mph (15 minutes)????

“VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Vandenberg Air Force Base officials launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly from North Vandenberg at 3:01 a.m. PDT June 29.

The launch was an operational test to verify the weapon system’s reliability and accuracy.

The missile carried three unarmed re-entry vehicles approximately 4,190 miles at speeds in excess of 24,000 mph to their predetermined targets near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Col. David Buck, the 30th Space Wing commander, was the mission’s launch decision authority. Lt. Col. Lesa K. Toler, the 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, was the mission director for this test launch.

Throughout the preparation and execution of the mission, maintenance and operations task force personnel from the 91st Missile Wing out of Minot AFB, N.D., integrated with the 576th FLTS to perform operational tasks. Members of the 576th FLTS installed tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems on the missile to collect data and meet 30th Space Wing safety requirements.

“It’s really something when you see a truly outstanding team come together,” Colonel Buck said. “These are dangerous times we’re living in right now. It’s extremely important our combatant commander has the capabilities he needs to perform the mission of fighting and winning our nation’s wars. Testing an operational asset pulled from the missile field at Minot provides us confidence our weapon system is capable of performing when needed.”

The data collected will be used by the entire ICBM community, including the U.S. Strategic Command planners and Department of Energy laboratories. “

[Insert Picard Facepalm]

The issue of age is, as bgnewf says, not as simple as the age of the design. Witness the Russian Soyuz, which was designed at the height of the space race, yet it is going to outlast the Space Shuttle in support of manned spaceflight.

I do feel, however, that there may be some benefit to replacing the Minuteman with a land based version of Trident. The Trident is test launched from land, so land based use is viable, and it would allow for a common land and sea based nuclear deterrent.

There are some BIG differences however, namely the degrees of shock and EMP hardening designed in. Trident is designed for a much more benign environment than land based ICBMs.

The issue of age is, as bgnewf says, not as simple as the age of the design. Witness the Russian Soyuz, which was designed at the height of the space race, yet it is going to outlast the Space Shuttle in support of manned spaceflight.

I do feel, however, that there may be some benefit to replacing the Minuteman with a land based version of Trident. The Trident is test launched from land, so land based use is viable, and it would allow for a common land and sea based nuclear deterrent.

I’m glad it was a sucess and all, but can someone tell me why the United States decided to scrap the Peacekeeper and retain these archaic ICBMs?

Archaic?

With due respect the oldest component on these birds is most likely the Mk.12A warheads. They have been upgraded and renewed beyond recognition to the originals. everything from guidance, penetration aids, propellants have been upgraded and replaced since they were originally deployed.

Not doubting the effeciency of the peacekeeper with you Thaddeus, but the Minuteman IS reliable. The Peacekeeper was sacrificed as part of START.