Minuteman III,  North Korea

United States Air Force Launches Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base – Sends Message to North Korea

USAF Minuteman III Missile Launch Video – Skip ahead to around 2 minutes into the video

In a test launch of America’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile capability, the United States and the Obama Administrations send a nuclear warning to North Korea.

The Air Force has successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from the California coast to an area in the Pacific Ocean some 4,200 miles away.

Lt. Raymond Geoffroy says the ICBM was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3:01 a.m. Monday and carried three unarmed re-entry vehicles to their targets near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The missile, configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration Test Assembly, was launched under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron.

The Air Force says the launch was an operational test to check the weapon system’s reliability and accuracy, and the data will be used by United States Strategic Command planners and Department of Energy laboratories.

I am positive the test was planned far ahead of the sabre-rattling from North Korea.

Wink……

By the way, the Minuteman III, an offensive, first strike capable ICBM is equipped with multiple nuclear warheads.

Here is a diagram on how the missile works:

Minuteman III

Minuteman-III MIRV launch sequence:

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.

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6 Comments

  • sirius matter

    Looks like the elite have fireworks ready for independence day. Remember they want 80% population cut down. Elitest Eugenics. It’s time we rise above these insectious, misguided fools. We must stand together now stronger than ever
    !!!!

  • CongMoney

    I guess US is ready for the independence day. But i really surprise that Pres. Obama has the guts to pull such thing. Thanks for this article.

  • me

    This is the wrong message that we ate sending. Telling them not to launch, and launching one our self. We already know our missiles work. We should set the example. This is horrible!

  • Squincher

    Well now, I am a Pacifist, believe it or not. But if the North Koreans start Sabre Rattling at us, I say let’s blow dem Gooks of the face of the Plant.

  • Vanessa

    And they are thinking that they can warn North Korea by that? I don’t think so. This will just tell them that US is ready for war and therefor can provoke it.