US 5th generation ICBM in development - The Minuteman IV, page 1
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Topic started on 15-10-2004 @ 11:08 AM by mad scientist
On-going modernization will keep the Minuteman III viable until approximately 2020. The extensive life extension program replaces aging guidance and stand-by power systems, rebuilds solid-propellant rocket motors, repairs launch facilities, and installs the latest communication equipment and command and control consoles for combat missile crews. This system is safe, secure and reliable until 2020. At that time, the Air Force will move to the next stage of ICBMs -- a Minuteman IV.

The Air Force Systems Command (AFSPC) led the Ballistic Missile Requirements (BMR) Study (1998 to 2000) which documented a number of needs beyond the current baseline ICBM mission, such as extended range, trajectory shaping, strategic relocatable targets, and hardened deeply buried targets, that the next generation ICBM could address. The Land Based Strategic Nuclear Deterrence Mission Needs Statement (MNS) drew from the analysis done in the BMR study in documenting the need for ICBMs beyond 2020. To expand on the MNS and address alternatives for the follow on ICBM, AFSPC plans to conduct an analysis of alternatives in FY04 and FY05 with an IOC by 2018. This work will ensure the requirements generation process and the acquisition process remain on track for the future ICBM force.

The new missile could be dropped into current silos, or require current silos to be revamped. Work on an all-new Minuteman IV ICBM could begin as early as 2004, possibly a mobile version of the missile. The force applications team has secured SMC's role in the future missile system commonly referred to as Minuteman IV that hopes to be a $20-30 billion procurement between 2004 and 2040. New missions for the system include holding both hardened and deeply buried targets and strategic relocatable targets at risk. Concepts being evaluated for these missions may include an earth penetrator reentry vehicle or a "smart" maneuvering reentry vehicle. With respect to force applications, the Minuteman IV activity is simply the first initiative, among many, for possible future space weapon systems.


www.globalsecurity.org...



According to this article research would probably have begun this year, it seems this next generation missile will have incredible accuracy even being able to hit mibile targets.
If this missile is deployed it would surely give the US the undoubted lead in strategic missile technology.


reply posted on 19-10-2004 @ 09:51 PM by American Mad Man
Originally posted by Blackout
Originally posted by ufo3
It wont be long before the US has nukes in orbit to strike anywhere in the world within a few minutes, i know its against international treaties but this is America we are talking about


I don't care if America sends 2,000 nukes at NK because there's no way that the US can defend me from even one NK nuke...

It's really not as funny when you live on the West Coast...


Actually, the US may have the ability to prevent a single or relatively small number (think around 5 max) of nukes from NK form hitting the US. Because (if I remember right) the NK missles do not work the same way as ICBMs, and thus, there are a few weapons in our arsenal that *could* hit them.

Also, there are plans under the Bush doctrine to build up missle defense with a layered protection program that would use a combination of surface to air missles, ground and air based lasers, and perhaps in the future space based lasers. In addition, a stated mission for the F/A-22 Raptor is the ability as a behind enemy lines missle hunter.

Basically, in the next half dozen or so years, expect to see the threat from a minor nuclear power such as NK that has a very limited number of nuclear weapons to go down. It should also be understood that if the US were to attack NK we would most likely take out nearly all of NK's ability to deliver nuclear weapons. Most likely their nuclear delivery systems are heavily artillery or plane based and as such of their suspeted 8 or so nuclear weapons, few would be able to hit the US. The threat is still there though.
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