LGM-30 Minuteman chronology
Introduction 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 Minuteman III on display at Air Force Museum**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  Minuteman IA/BDateSystemLocationNicknameNote 1 Feb 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS, LF-31A   Serial 401 19 May 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS, LF-31A  27 Jul 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS, LF-31A   30 Aug 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS, LF-32B    17 Nov 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS, LF-32B   18 Dec 1961 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    5 Jan 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    25 Jan 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    15 Feb 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    8 Mar 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    22 Mar 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    24 Apr 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    11 May 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    18 May 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    8 Jun 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    29 Jun 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    12 Jul 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    9 Aug 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    18 Sep 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    19 Sep 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    17 Oct 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    19 Nov 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    7 Dec 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    14 Dec 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    20 Dec 1962 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    7 Jan 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    23 Jan 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    20 Feb 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    18 Mar 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    27 Mar 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    10 Apr 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,   18 May 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    28 May 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    5 Jun 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    27 Jun 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    1 Jul 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    17 Jul 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    25 Jul 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    5 Aug 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    27 Aug 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    7 Nov 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    13 Nov 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    18 Dec 1963 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    16 Jan 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    28 Jan 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    12 Feb 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    25 Feb 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    27 Feb 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    13 Mar 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    20 Mar 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    30 Mar 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    7 Apr 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    24 Apr 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    29 Sep 1964 Minuteman I  Cape Canaveral AFS,    Minuteman IIDateSystemLocationNicknameNote 24 Sep 1964 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    29 Sep 1964 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    29 Oct 1964 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    15 Dec 1964 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    18 Dec 1964 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    28 Jan 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    7 May 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    25 May 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    3 Aug 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    23 Aug 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    24 Sep 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,    1 Oct 1965 Minuteman II  Cape Canaveral AFS,   13 Dec 1966  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05   First Minuteman ERCS test 2 Feb 1967  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05   Second Minuteman ERCS test 4 Aug 1970  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 1, GLORY TRIP 16L 22 Oct 1971  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 2, GLORY TRIP 40L 22 Mar 1972  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 3, GLORY TRIP 200L 26 Jul 1973  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 4 12 Mar 1974  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 5 22 Oct 1974  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 6 5 Sep 1975  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 7 26 Oct 1976  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05  GIANT MOON 8 Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS)-assisted ICBM LaunchesDateDesignationSystemLocationNote3 Mar 1967  BUSY LOBBY  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 5  First ALCS-assisted launch 17 Apr 1967  BUSY MISSILE  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 08  28 Apr 1967  BUSY MUMMY  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 02  11 May 1967  BUSY FELLOW  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 21  25 Jan 1968  OLY TRIALS 7 Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 22  12 Mar 1969  GIANT FIST 3 Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 04  18 Apr 1969  SST M-3  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 25 18 Jun 1969  GLORY TRIP 37B  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07  23 Jul 1969  GLORY TRIP 41B  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07   26 Aug 1969  GLORY TRIP 15F  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF 22   13 Oct 1969  GLORY TRIP 22F  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 24   21 Oct 1969  GLORY TRIP 45B  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07   5 Dec 1969  GLORY TRIP 50B  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07   23 Mar 1970  GLORY TRIP 63B  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07   21 May 1970  GLORY TRIP 55F  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 25   8 Jun 1970  GLORY TRIP 72B  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 07   9 Jul 1970  GLORY TRIP 66F  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 24   3 Aug 1970  GLORY TRIP 61F  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 25   4 Aug 1970  GLORY TRIP 16L  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 05   26 Aug 1970  GLORY TRIP 43M  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB, LF 05  === GLORY TRIP Launches ===The USAF Follow-on Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) program for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) is designated Glory Trip. '''Minuteman IA/B'''DateSystemLocationGT Number '''Minuteman II'''DateSystemLocationGT Number 4 Aug 1970  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 16L 4 Feb 1971  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-04 60M 27 Feb 1971  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-04 80M 31 Mar 1971  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 82M 22 Oct 1971  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 40L 22 Mar 1972  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 200L 17 Apr 1973  Minuteman II  Vandenberg AFB, LF-02 112M '''Minuteman III'''DateSystemLocationGT Number 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  63GB 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  64GM 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  61GM 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  37GM 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  136M 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  133M-1 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  65GB 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  130M-2 1978  Minuteman  Vandenberg AFB  38GM 27 Feb 1980  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  73GM 1982  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  88GM   31 Mar 1982  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  87GB 29 Mar 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  120GB 25 Jun 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  122GB-1 24 Jul 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  123GM-1 31 Jul 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  124GM 21 Dec 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  119GM-1 21 Dec 1987  Minuteman III  Vandenberg AFB  119GM-1
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