LGM-118A Peacekeeper Specs

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LGM-118A Peacekeeper Specs
LGM-118A Peacekeeper Specs

National Museum of the US Air Force

Peacekeeper was a four-stage missile, and it was the first US ICBM to use "cold launch" technology. This meant the missile was shot out of a storage canister in a modified Minuteman underground silo by a massive burst of high-pressure steam, and its first-stage solid-rocket motor ignited only after the missile cleared the silo. The next two stages, also solid-fuel rockets, boosted the missile's payload into space. The fourth stage, or post-boost vehicle, contained the missile's guidance and re-entry systems. This liquid-fueled stage maneuvered in space to properly orient the re-entry system, which activated and released up to ten nuclear warheads. Each war-head was contained in a small MK-21 re-entry vehicle, and each followed an independent ballistic, or unpowered, path during descent to its target. Accuracy depended on the warheads being released in the right direction at the proper altitude and speed.

The Peacekeeper modernized and improved US nuclear deterrence, but the end of the Cold War made its mission less crucial. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) II, signed in 1993 with Russia, removed all multiple-warhead ICBMS, and thus, spelled the end for Peacekeeper. As a result of the changed strategic world situation, deactivation of all 50 LGM-118AS began in 2003 and was completed in 2005. Some Peacekeepers, no longer needed as ICBMS, were used as satellite launch vehicles.

Attribution Noncommercial Some rights reserved
Taken on: July 23, 2012
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with LGM-118 LGM-118 Everybody's photos tagged with Peacekeeper Peacekeeper
Sets appears in:   • USAF Museum Missile Gallery    • LGM-118 Peacekeeper Missile   
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, f/4.5, 1/20 sec, 28mm, ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure Time: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Focal Length: 28mm
ISO: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
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