LGM-30 Minuteman chronology

This is a chronology of the LGM-30 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, acquisition and operational.

Main article: LGM-30 Minuteman

Program chronology
  • 1956
    • Von Neumann Committee approved Ballistic Missile feasibility program
    • R&D programs and contracts authorized
  • 1957
    • ICBM improvements studies started
    • Minuteman configuration studies started
  • 1958
  • 1959
    • First R&D firing from silo - inert second and third stage
  • 1960
    • First contract for operational wing facilities at Wing I
    • Missile production
  • 1961
    • First all-up missile launch from pad at Eastern Test Range
    • First missile launch from silo at Eastern Test Range
  • 1962
    • First missile launch from Western Test Range
    • Minuteman-I operational flight turnover at Wing I
  • 1963
    • First wing turnover at Wing I, Wing II turnover
    • Force Mod program approved
    • First motor static test firing to verify reliability
  • 1964
    • Wing III and Wing IV turnover
    • New features approved
    • Minuteman-II flight test
    • GIANT BOOST
  • 1965
    • Wing V turnover
    • Vulnerability improvements
    • Minuteman fully operational at Wing II, Wing III
  • 1966
  • 1967
  • 1968
  • 1969
    • Force Mod rate decrease
    • Force Mod at Wing I complete
    • Service Star testing began for RSs
  • 1970
    Minuteman-III on display at Air Force Museum
    • First Minuteman-III at Wing III (Hotel Flight/H-02)
    • Upgrade silo and CDB programs started
    • First MOM test at Wing VI
  • 1971
    • Minuteman-III dust program started
    • Force Mod at Wing III completed
  • 1972
  • 1973
    • Upgrade silo and CDB IOC at Wing V
    • Force Mod and upgrade silo completed at Wing II
    • Last MOM at Wing III
  • 1974
    • Full Force upgrade silo approved
    • MK12A and Pave Pepper programs started
    • SSAS was deployed for Minuteman II
  • 1975
    • Upgrade silo and CDB completed at Wing V
    • Upgrade silo and CDB start at Wing III
    • Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman (SELM) program started
    • Minuteman bench test program concept developed by OO-ALC
    • Minuteman-III fully deployed
    • Minuteman program management responsibility transfer (PMRT)
  • 1976
    • Upgrade silo and CDB completed at Wing III
    • Upgrade silo and CDB completed at Wing VI
    • Long range service life analysis performed for propulsion system
    • Hybrid explicit implemented for Minuteman III
    • Minuteman II MGS vibration test program initiated
    • New calibration schedule implemented to correct MGS startup transients
    • Minuteman II Stage 3 lot 16 motor igniters replaced
  • 1977
    • Minuteman III missile production terminated
    • Inertial performance data began to be collected for guidance system fault isolation
    • Began implementation of ILCS at Minuteman II wings
  • 1978
    • GIP implemented at Minuteman III
    • Thrust termination port investigation began
  • 1979
    • Minuteman II stage 2 motor remanufacturing program began to correct degraded liner/Minuteman III stage 3 degraded liner investigation initiated
    • USAF advisory board recommended that carbon-carbon nose tips be developed for MK12 RVs
  • 1980
    • Upgrade silo and CDB completed at Wing VI
    • Minuteman II accuracy/reliability investigation conducted
    • VRSA replacement design started
    • Diagnostic data package hardware delivered to provide re-entry/separation data for Minuteman II flights
  • 1981
    • MGS electronics investigation completed
    • Accuracy, Reliability, Supportability Improvement Program (ARSIP) program began
  • 1982
    • Minuteman III guidance upgrade program implemented
    • MK12A re-entry vehicle FOC
    • Special operational test program began - Minuteman II
    • Hardness critical items identified and procured
  • 1983
    • Minuteman-III MGS vibration test program initiated
    • Special operational test program complete - accuracy improvements verified
  • 1984
    • Minuteman Extended Survivable Power IOC
    • GUP implemented for Minuteman III
  • 1985
    • Rivet MILE (Minuteman Integrated Life Extension) program began
  • 1986
    • LGM-118A Peacekeeper deployment initiated
  • 1987
    • Integrated Nuclear Effects Assessment (INEA)
    • ARSIP implemented for Minuteman II
    • Piece-parts manufacturing for diminished manufacturing sources
    • Rivet MILE began Improved Minuteman Physical Security System (IMPSS) installation
  • 1988
    • Minuteman-III Stage 2 washout/Stage 3 replacement
    • Comprehensive reliability investigations conducted
    • Peacekeeper fully operational at Wing V
  • 1989
    • Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) program initiated
    • Rocket Motor Transporter replacement
    • Code Change Verifier replacement
    • Transporter-Erector replacement
  • 1990
  • 1991
    • Minuteman II removed from SIOP
  • 1992
    • Minuteman II deactivation initiated
    • MESP discontinued
    • Rivet MILE completes IMPSS installation
    • SRV Program initiated
    • Rivet ADD initiated
    • Missile Transporter replacement
    • Missile Transporter (PT III) replacement
  • 1993
    • GRP contract awarded
  • 1994
    • PRP initial contracts awarded
  • 1995
    • REACT consoles begin deployment
    • Minuteman-II deactivation complete
    • BRAC decision to close Wing VI by 1998
  • 1996
    • REACT deployment complete
  • 1998
    • Wing VI deactivation complete
    • Wing VI Minuteman IIIs moved to Wing I
    • AF awards ICBM Prime contract to TRW team for ICBM engineering
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2001
    • PRP deployment initiated
  • 2005
    • Peacekeeper deactivation complete[1]
  • 2007-08

Test Launches
Minuteman IA/B
DateSystemLocationNicknameNote
1 Feb 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS, LF-31ASerial 401
19 May 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS, LF-31A
27 Jul 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS, LF-31A
30 Aug 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS, LF-32B
17 Nov 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS, LF-32B
18 Dec 1961Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
5 Jan 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
25 Jan 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
15 Feb 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
8 Mar 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
22 Mar 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
24 Apr 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
11 May 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
18 May 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
8 Jun 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
29 Jun 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
12 Jul 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
9 Aug 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
18 Sep 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
19 Sep 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
17 Oct 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
19 Nov 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
7 Dec 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
14 Dec 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
20 Dec 1962Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
7 Jan 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
23 Jan 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
20 Feb 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
18 Mar 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
27 Mar 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
10 Apr 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
18 May 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
28 May 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
5 Jun 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
27 Jun 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
1 Jul 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
17 Jul 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
25 Jul 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
5 Aug 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
27 Aug 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
7 Nov 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
13 Nov 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
18 Dec 1963Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
16 Jan 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
28 Jan 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
12 Feb 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
25 Feb 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
27 Feb 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
13 Mar 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
20 Mar 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
30 Mar 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
7 Apr 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
24 Apr 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
29 Sep 1964Minuteman ICape Canaveral AFS,
Minuteman II
DateSystemLocationNicknameNote
24 Sep 1964Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
29 Sep 1964Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
29 Oct 1964Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
15 Dec 1964Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
18 Dec 1964Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
28 Jan 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
7 May 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
25 May 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
3 Aug 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
23 Aug 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
24 Sep 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
1 Oct 1965Minuteman IICape Canaveral AFS,
13 Dec 1966Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05First Minuteman ERCS test
2 Feb 1967Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05Second Minuteman ERCS test
4 Aug 1970Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 1, GLORY TRIP 16L
22 Oct 1971Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 2, GLORY TRIP 40L
22 Mar 1972Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 3, GLORY TRIP 200L
26 Jul 1973Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 4
12 Mar 1974Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 5
22 Oct 1974Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 6
5 Sep 1975Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 7
26 Oct 1976Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF-05GIANT MOON 8
ALCS-assisted ICBM Launches
DateDesignationSystemLocationNote
3 Mar 1967BUSY LOBBYMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 5First ALCS-assisted launch
17 Apr 1967BUSY MISSILEMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 08
28 Apr 1967BUSY MUMMYMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 02
11 May 1967BUSY FELLOWMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 21
25 Jan 1968OLY TRIALS 7Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 22
12 Mar 1969GIANT FIST 3Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 04
18 Apr 1969SST M-3Minuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 25
18 Jun 1969GLORY TRIP 37BMinuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 07
23 Jul 1969GLORY TRIP 41BMinuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 07
26 Aug 1969GLORY TRIP 15FMinuteman IIVandenberg AFB, LF 22
13 Oct 1969GLORY TRIP 22FMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 24
21 Oct 1969GLORY TRIP 45BMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 07
5 Dec 1969GLORY TRIP 50BMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 07
23 Mar 1970GLORY TRIP 63BMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 07
21 May 1970GLORY TRIP 55FMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 25
8 Jun 1970GLORY TRIP 72BMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 07
9 Jul 1970GLORY TRIP 66FMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 24
3 Aug 1970GLORY TRIP 61FMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 25
4 Aug 1970GLORY TRIP 16LMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 05
26 Aug 1970GLORY TRIP 43MMinutemanVandenberg AFB, LF 05

References
  1. Air Force Link: "Air Force says farewell to most powerful ICBM", 15 Sep 2005
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