Minuteman III LGM 30 ICBM Missile

Full Specifications

Minuteman III LGM 30 ICBM Strategic Missile

The Minuteman III LGM 30 intercontinental ballistic missile is the cornerstone of the United States land based nuclear deterrent. First deployed during the Cold War, it remains on alert today, providing a constant and credible strategic strike capability. Designed for rapid launch and extreme range, Minuteman III ensures the United States can respond to any nuclear threat with precision and speed.

Manufacturer

The Minuteman III was originally developed by Boeing as the prime contractor, with major subsystems produced by several US defense firms. Sustainment, life extension, and modernization efforts are currently managed by Northrop Grumman under US Air Force oversight. The missile is entirely US designed and produced, reflecting decades of domestic strategic weapons expertise.

Speed and Range

Minuteman III is a three stage solid fuel ballistic missile capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 23 during its boost and midcourse phases. It has an operational range of approximately 13000 kilometers, allowing it to strike targets across continents. Advanced inertial guidance enables high accuracy, even after long flight times through space.

Minuteman III LGM 30 ICBM Missile Price

The Minuteman III is no longer produced as a new build system, so an individual unit price is not publicly defined. Historical estimates place the original missile cost in the tens of millions of dollars. Current spending focuses on sustainment and life extension, with the US Air Force investing several billion dollars annually to keep the fleet operational until replacement by the Sentinel ICBM.