US 5th generation ICBM in development - The Minuteman IV

On-going modernization will keep the Minuteman III viable until approximately 2020. The extensive life extension program replaces aging guidance and stand-by power systems, rebuilds solid-propellant rocket motors, repairs launch facilities, and installs the latest communication equipment and command and control consoles for combat missile crews. This system is safe, secure and reliable until 2020. At that time, the Air Force will move to the next stage of ICBMs -- a Minuteman IV.

The Air Force Systems Command (AFSPC) led the Ballistic Missile Requirements (BMR) Study (1998 to 2000) which documented a number of needs beyond the current baseline ICBM mission, such as extended range, trajectory shaping, strategic relocatable targets, and hardened deeply buried targets, that the next generation ICBM could address. The Land Based Strategic Nuclear Deterrence Mission Needs Statement (MNS) drew from the analysis done in the BMR study in documenting the need for ICBMs beyond 2020. To expand on the MNS and address alternatives for the follow on ICBM, AFSPC plans to conduct an analysis of alternatives in FY04 and FY05 with an IOC by 2018. This work will ensure the requirements generation process and the acquisition process remain on track for the future ICBM force.

The new missile could be dropped into current silos, or require current silos to be revamped. Work on an all-new Minuteman IV ICBM could begin as early as 2004, possibly a mobile version of the missile. The force applications team has secured SMC's role in the future missile system commonly referred to as Minuteman IV that hopes to be a $20-30 billion procurement between 2004 and 2040. New missions for the system include holding both hardened and deeply buried targets and strategic relocatable targets at risk. Concepts being evaluated for these missions may include an earth penetrator reentry vehicle or a "smart" maneuvering reentry vehicle. With respect to force applications, the Minuteman IV activity is simply the first initiative, among many, for possible future space weapon systems.


www.globalsecurity.org...



According to this article research would probably have begun this year, it seems this next generation missile will have incredible accuracy even being able to hit mibile targets.
If this missile is deployed it would surely give the US the undoubted lead in strategic missile technology.

I used to work for one of the engineers who was at least partially responsible for the design of the human and real time interfaces for the minute man ICBM. Incidentally just to show you how broad ones talents can be he also did all the software for the original McDonalds digital cash registers.

Kind of funny I thought after a long day desiging tools to destroy the world
a Big Mac might just sound good.

geo

[edit on 10/15/2004 by geocom]

Thanks for this and I think it is about time. When they trashed the MX, I was upset. I mean the Russians are still developing and why cant we?

Actually I posted about this a few months back guys:

The AF is currently researching its new ICBM in a program called the Land Based Strategic Deterent (LBSD) The LBSD is supposed to have GPS guided warheads, be able to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons as well. It looks like they are looking to field it in 2020 or so.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Its called the Minuteman Elite. The info came from AWST

Originally posted by FredT
Actually I posted about this a few months back guys:

The AF is currently researching its new ICBM in a program called the Land Based Strategic Deterent (LBSD) The LBSD is supposed to have GPS guided warheads, be able to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons as well. It looks like they are looking to field it in 2020 or so.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Its called the Minuteman Elite. The info came from AWST

Not much info at all on the other thread. I haven't heard this missile referrd to as the Minuteman Elite only the Minuteman IV

Originally posted by edsinger
Thanks for this and I think it is about time. When they trashed the MX, I was upset. I mean the Russians are still developing and why cant we?

Got to agree with you on the MX - that thing was a monster!

Anyone here think that having GPS instead of IG is a bad thing? I mean, if the enemy takes out you sats you can't aim

Originally posted by American Mad Man

Originally posted by edsinger
Thanks for this and I think it is about time. When they trashed the MX, I was upset. I mean the Russians are still developing and why cant we?

Got to agree with you on the MX - that thing was a monster!

Anyone here think that having GPS instead of IG is a bad thing? I mean, if the enemy takes out you sats you can't aim

Yes, that might be a disadvantage, but you need to consider the other thousands of nukes in our stockpile that don't rely on GPS.

Originally posted by American Mad Man

Originally posted by edsinger
Thanks for this and I think it is about time. When they trashed the MX, I was upset. I mean the Russians are still developing and why cant we?

Got to agree with you on the MX - that thing was a monster!

Anyone here think that having GPS instead of IG is a bad thing? I mean, if the enemy takes out you sats you can't aim

I'm sure GPS will only be one of several guidance sysems used. Stella inertial nav will probobly be retained to some degree.

It wont be long before the US has nukes in orbit to strike anywhere in the world within a few minutes, i know its against international treaties but this is America we are talking about

Originally posted by mad scientist
Not much info at all on the other thread. I haven't heard this missile referrd to as the Minuteman Elite only the Minuteman IV

Here ya go:

The Air Force has launched a series of programs to ensure the Minuteman remains reliable and effective until it fields a next-generation, land-based, long-range nuclear system.

Minuteman III�s primary upgrades include:

Propulsion Replacement Program�replaces propellants, EPA-restricted materials, and adds redesigned Stage 3 motors, among other improvements. Completion: Fiscal 2008.
Guidance Replacement Program�improves the maintainability and on-alert reliability of the guidance systems. Completion: Fiscal 2010.
Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle Program�replaces Mk 12 warheads with Peacekeeper�s newer, safer Mk 21 warheads. Number to be replaced undecided, but transfers begin in Fiscal 2006. Completion: 2011.
Patenaude said the service is considering, in addition to these upgrades, a �Minuteman Elite� system�a modified Minuteman III offering improved accuracy. Modifying a limited number of existing Minuteman re-entry vehicles could create an �enhanced arsenal,� he noted. Minuteman Elite is neither funded nor approved for production, but is envisioned as a possible solution to emerging STRATCOM requirements.
www.afa.org...

Originally posted by ufo3
It wont be long before the US has nukes in orbit to strike anywhere in the world within a few minutes, i know its against international treaties but this is America we are talking about

I don't care if America sends 2,000 nukes at NK because there's no way that the US can defend me from even one NK nuke...

It's really not as funny when you live on the West Coast...

Originally posted by Blackout

Originally posted by ufo3
It wont be long before the US has nukes in orbit to strike anywhere in the world within a few minutes, i know its against international treaties but this is America we are talking about

I don't care if America sends 2,000 nukes at NK because there's no way that the US can defend me from even one NK nuke...

It's really not as funny when you live on the West Coast...

Actually, the US may have the ability to prevent a single or relatively small number (think around 5 max) of nukes from NK form hitting the US. Because (if I remember right) the NK missles do not work the same way as ICBMs, and thus, there are a few weapons in our arsenal that *could* hit them.

Also, there are plans under the Bush doctrine to build up missle defense with a layered protection program that would use a combination of surface to air missles, ground and air based lasers, and perhaps in the future space based lasers. In addition, a stated mission for the F/A-22 Raptor is the ability as a behind enemy lines missle hunter.

Basically, in the next half dozen or so years, expect to see the threat from a minor nuclear power such as NK that has a very limited number of nuclear weapons to go down. It should also be understood that if the US were to attack NK we would most likely take out nearly all of NK's ability to deliver nuclear weapons. Most likely their nuclear delivery systems are heavily artillery or plane based and as such of their suspeted 8 or so nuclear weapons, few would be able to hit the US. The threat is still there though.

Seems there may be a successor to the Trident II D-5 SLBM. The Trident E-6. Although it is a long way off about 2030 and many things can change in that period of time.

The Trident E-6 is the next-generation US Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM). It will be an intercontinental-range, solid propellant ballistic missile. It will likely replace the current Trident D-5 missile deployed in the modern US missile submarines and take a form generally similar to the previous Trident designs. It is planned to be placed on the next generation missile submarines though it is possible it will also be put in converted Trident E-6 tubes. As it is not planned to entered service for several decades, the program is entirely theoretical and no details have been released.

www.missilethreat.com...

I hope the Minuteman IV is similar to the Midgetman ICBM. Thats all we would need in terms of size, since the Minuteman III only carries 1 warhead now just like the Midgetman was designed to.

Midgetman ICBM

[edit on 2-1-2006 by NWguy83]