| Country: |
United States of America |
| Class: |
ICBM |
| Status: |
Development |
| In Service: |
Exp. 2020 |
Details
The LGM-30H Minuteman IV is an entirely theoretical program. It is scheduled to replace the LGM-30G Minuteman III missile in 2020, though development has yet to begin. There is no specific information on this program, though it will no doubt be an intercontinental-range, silo-based, solid propellant ballistic missile. Given current US doctrine, it is unlikely that a road or railcar mobile version would be produced.
This system will likely be deployed as a strategic asset. It is likely to be fairly accurate, probably with 100 to 50 m CEP. This would make it an extremely effective counterforce weapon, easily capable of destroying hardened missile silos. However, the large number of road mobile ICBM systems will prevent an effective counterforce strike and the Minuteman IV will likely be purely targeted against population centers. It will likely be designed, like the Russian SS-27, to penetrate modern anti-missile defenses. It will likely deploy Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles (MIRV) warheads.
The system will probably have similar capabilities and dimensions of the Minuteman III system. The Minuteman III system has a range of 13,000 km (8078 miles) and carries three MIRV warheads, as well as penetration aids such as chaff and decoys. Each warhead has a yield between 335 and 350 kT. The missile has a length of 18.2 m and a width of 1.85 m. It has an inertial guidance system with an accuracy of 120 m CEP. The Minuteman IV will likely have a similar size, but with improved range, yield and accuracy. The advanced inertial guidance system will likely be augmented by an optical or GPS terminal guidance system.
The system will likely be deployed shortly before the removal of the Minuteman III from service. It will almost certainly be deployed in refitted Minuteman silos.
