Image:Minuteman III MIRV path.svg

Diagram depicting the different stages of a Minuteman III missile path from launch to detonation, as well as the different basic stages of the missile themselves.

[edit] Caption

1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its 1st stage boost motor (A).

2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the 2nd stage motor (B) ignites. The missile shroud is ejected.

3. About 120 seconds after launch, the 3rd stage motor (C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage.

4. About 180 seconds after launch, 3rd stage thrust terminates and the Post-Boost Vehicle (D) separates from the rocket.

5. The Post-Boost Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment.

6. The RVs, as well as decoys and chaff, are deployed during backaway.

7. The RVs and chaff re-enter the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight.

8. The nuclear warheads detonate, either as air bursts or ground bursts.

[edit] Sources

Based on information in TRW Systems. (2001) Minuteman Weapon System History and Description. http://www.nukestrat.com/us/afn/Minuteman.pdf. Completely re-drawn and re-worked from scratch by User:Fastfission in Inkscape.

This vector image was created with Inkscape.

[edit] License

This image has been released into the public domain by its author, Fastfission. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: Fastfission grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. العربية | Български | Deutsch | Ελληνικά | English | Español | Français | Italiano | 日本語 | 한국어 | Polski | Русский | Српски / Srpski | Svenska | தமிழ் | Українська | ‪中文(繁體)‬ | ‪中文(简体)‬  +/-

If you want to credit someone, credit "Wikimedia Commons." Otherwise don't credit anyone, that's fine by me. --Fastfission 15:03, 14 April 2008 (UTC)

• LGM-30 Minuteman
• Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle