LGM-30 Minuteman chronology

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

First research activity that lead to the U.S. development of intercontinental ballistic missiles began in 1956. Specific research and development (R&D) on the Minuteman missile began in 1958. The system was fully operational in at least three United States Air Force (USAF) wings by 1965. By this time the Minuteman II had already reached the flight test stage.

Program chronology

• 1956
• Von Neumann Committee approved Ballistic Missile feasibility program
• Research and development (R&D) programs and contracts authorized
• 1957
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) improvements studies started
• Minuteman configuration studies started
• 1958
• Minuteman R&D program authorized
• 1959
• First R&D firing from silo - inert second and third stage
• 1960
• First contract for operational wing facilities at Wing I (the 341st Strategic Missile Wing)
• 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 341st Strategic Missile Wing (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
• Wing IV turnover
• Minuteman III approval
• Aging surveillance program initiated
• Minuteman II operational at Wing VI
• AN/DRC-8 Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) deployed
• 1967
• Squadron 20 turnover
• Force Mod at Wing IV
• Airborne Launch Control System goes on alert
• 1968
• Hard rock silo program started
• First Minuteman III R&D flight
• 1969
• Force Mod rate decrease
• Force Mod at Wing I complete
• Service Star testing began for RSs
• 1970
• 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
• Minuteman III deployed at Wing VI
• First dust-hardened Minuteman III deployed at Wing VI
• Minuteman ordnance service life analysis program developed
• Responsibility for service life testing transferred to Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC), Hill Air Force Base, Utah
• 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
• First NS-50 MGS deployed
• Congress establishes the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• 2000
• 2001
• PRP deployment initiated
• 2005
• Peacekeeper deactivation complete
• 2007-08
• Deactivation and removal of 50 Minuteman III's at Malmstrom AFB, MT.

Test launches

GLORY TRIP Launches

The USAF Follow-on Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) program for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) is designated Glory Trip.

References