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Minuteman 1A

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AKA: LGM-30A;Mk. 5;SM-80A;W59;WS 133A. Status: Retired 1966. First Launch: 1959-09-15. Last Launch: 1966-10-03. Number: 82 . Payload: 450 kg (990 lb). Thrust: 756.00 kN (169,955 lbf). Gross mass: 31,704 kg (69,895 lb). Height: 17.01 m (55.80 ft). Diameter: 1.89 m (6.20 ft). Span: 1.89 m (6.20 ft). Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

Maximum range: 9,700 km (6,000 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard RV: Mk. 5. Standard warhead: W59. Warhead yield: 1,000 KT. CEP: 2.58 km (1.60 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Maximum speed: 29,030 kph (18,030 mph). Initial Operational Capability: 1963.

• Large solid-propellant rocket motor begun - . The Western Development Division's Propulsion Group initiated a research program for a large-size, solid-propellant rocket motor..

• Solid Weapon System Office - . Colonel Charles H. Terhune, Jr., Deputy Commander for Ballistic Missiles, AFBMD, directed the establishment of a small Solid Weapon System Office to continue development efforts on solid-propellants..

• Minuteman development approved. - . Related Persons: , McElroy. Secretary of Defense Neil H. McElroy approved Air Force research and development efforts for the three-stage, solid-propellant Minuteman ICBM..

• Minuteman propulsion contractors selected. - .

  Headquarters USAF approved the Minuteman source selections of Thiokol Chemical, Aerojet-General, and Hercules Powder Company as the propulsion contractors for the solid-fuel motors of the missile. Avco Corporation was chosen as the reentry vehicle (nose cone) developer, and Autonetics Division of North American Aviation was selected as inertial guidance and control (G&C) system contractor.

• Minuteman inertial guidance - . The Autonetics Division of North American Aviation was awarded a contract to develop the Minuteman inertial guidance and control (G&C) system..

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

  The first silo launch of a tethered, full-scale Minuteman missile was conducted at Edwards AFB, California, using dummy second and third stages. This was the first time in the Air Force ballistic missile program that the initial test of a missile was conducted on schedule. Fuel for 3 seconds only, tethered launch

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• First Minuteman Stage II engine. - . Aerojet-General completed the test firing of its first full-scale, flight-weight Minuteman Stage II engine..

• Minuteman ICBM accelerated - . Production go-ahead for the Minuteman ICBM was accelerated from January 1961 to July 1960..

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . Malmstrom AFB, Montana, was selected as the location for the first Minuteman wing (Wing I)..

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Silo test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). A tethered Minuteman missile was successfully fired from an underground silo site at Edwards AFB, California. 8th and last launch of mockup..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  At 1059 EST, the first Minuteman research and development flight test missile (FTM 401) was launched by the 6555th Test Wing from Pad 31 at the Atlantic Missile Range. All the missiles stages and subsystems were operational, marking the first time that the first flight test missile was launched with all systems and stages functioning. FTM 401 completed a 4,600-mile flight, and its reentry vehicle impacted in the designated target area. This was the most successful first flight recorded in the history of U.S. missile development.

• Malmstrom AFB - . The construction of Wing I Minuteman operational facilities at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, was begun with the excavation for the Flight A launch control center (LCC) and three silos..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). The first attempt to launch a Minuteman missile from an underground silo (Silo 32B) at the Atlantic Missile Range was a complete failure when the missile (FTM 404) exploded immediately after first stage ignition. .

• Research and development test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Minuteman flight test missile 405 was launched from Silo 32B at the Atlantic Missile Range and completed a flight of 2,993 nautical miles down the range. This was the first successful Minuteman launch from an underground silo. Silo launch, 10,000 km range.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). First Air Force crew launch.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development Category I test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). The first R&D Category I launch of a Wing I configuration Minuteman missile (LGM-30A), from Vandenberg AFB was completed. Initial launch of a Minuteman I from Vandenberg.

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . Flight A, 10th Strategic Missile Squadron, 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, was the first flight of Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missile launchers to be delivered to SAC..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development Category I test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . Minuteman weapon system (WS 133A) became operational with the turnover of the first two flights of 10 missiles each to SAC's 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Minuteman FTM 421B was successfully launched from the Eastern Test Range by an all-Air Force crew, thus completing the Atlantic range test program for the Wing I configuration Minuteman missile (LGM-30A). .

• Malmstrom AFB - . Five years after development was approved, the first fully operational Minuteman squadron, the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). The first successful launch of a fully operational Minuteman missile from Vandenberg by an Air Force crew was completed under simulated operational conditions. .

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Final Minuteman I completed - . The final Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missile was completed at Air Force Plant 77..

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . The first three-squadron, 150-missile Minuteman wing, the 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, was completed and turned over to SAC..

• Research and development launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Flight test missile 518 was launched from Vandenberg AFB. This was the last of 31 Minuteman I (LGM-30A) research and development missiles to be launched - 23 from Cape Canaveral and eight from Vandenberg. .

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . Official turnover ceremonies for Minuteman Wing I took place at Malmstrom AFB, Montana..

• Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). SAC launched the first Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missile (FTM 672) from Vandenberg in its operational testing program. .

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  The second multiple launch of two SAC Minuteman I missiles was conducted at Vandenberg AFB. Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missiles (FTM 581 and 636) were successfully launched from Vandenberg 20 minutes apart in the first ripple mode launch ever conducted. In this mode, a single launch crew gave both commands to launch.

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  The second multiple launch of two SAC Minuteman I missiles was conducted at Vandenberg AFB. Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missiles (FTM 581 and 636) were successfully launched from Vandenberg 20 minutes apart in the first ripple mode launch ever conducted. In this mode, a single launch crew gave both commands to launch.

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). SAC's Minuteman IA operational test program concluded after 24 launches with the launch of FTM 661 from Vandenberg. .

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  A SAC crew at Vandenberg launched the 100th Minuteman missile to be fired from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. Flight test missile 677 was the first Minuteman I (LGM-30A) follow-on operational test (FOT) launch and the 38th Minuteman 1 missile to be launched from Vandenberg.

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  The Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) supported the first simultaneous ("salvo") launch of two SAC Minuteman I missiles - Flight Test Missiles 529 and 629. The launches were intended to evaluate multiple-firing techniques to be used in operational conditions.

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

  The Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) supported the first simultaneous ("salvo") launch of two SAC Minuteman I missiles - Flight Test Missiles 529 and 629. The launches were intended to evaluate multiple-firing techniques to be used in operational conditions.

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Follow-on operational missile test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

• Malmstrom AFB - . The 1,000th Minuteman missile, an LGM-30F, was shipped to Squadron 20 at Malmstrom AFB and emplaced on 23 March. Squadron 20 would add an additional 50 Minuteman II silos to the 150 Minuteman 1A already emplaced..

• Malmstrom AFB - .

  The final flight of Squadron 20 Minuteman III missiles was turned over to SAC. This brought the strength of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB to 200 Minuteman missiles. The formal turnover on 3 May completed the deployment of the programmed 1,000 Minuteman missile launchers.

• Malmstrom AFB - . The first flight of the first Wing I squadron to complete Force Modernization to the LGM-30F, the 12th Strategic Missile Squadron, was. returned to SAC's 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB..

• Malmstrom AFB - .

  Force Modernization work was officially completed on the first squadron (12th Strategic Missile Squadron) of Minuteman II missiles at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. The work included renovation of the underground launch facilities (LFs) so that they would accommodate the Minuteman II missile.

• Malmstrom AFB - .

  The final Minuteman I (LGM-30A) missile was taken out of its silo at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, marking the end of the operational deployment of the original model Minuteman ICBM missile. This removal was part of the continuing Force Modernization program at Malmstrom.

• Malmstrom AFB - . The last flight of Force Modernization Minuteman III missiles was turned over to SAC's 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Wing I Force Modernization turnover was completed..