Minuteman III launch 2010 Sept. 17th

[EarthlingX]

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil : Minuteman III launch scheduled

Posted 9/13/2010 Updated 9/13/2010

Release Number: 010910

9/13/2010 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An unarmed operational test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled to launch from north Vandenberg Sept. 15 between 3:01 - 9:01 a.m.

The launch is one of a series of operational tests to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle is expected to travel approximately 5,300 miles, to a pre-determined target about 200 miles southwest of Guam.

A crew from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron will launch the missile from the Airborne Launch Control System under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron.

"Our airborne crews provide survivable launch capability for the nation's ICBMs by using the E-6B aircraft," said Lt. Col. Ron Allen, 625th Strategic Operations Squadron commander. "Like ICBM ground crews, ALCS officers are on alert every day of the year to execute their mission, if called upon to do so."

The 576th FLTS, who will direct the missile launch, also is responsible for installed tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems on the missile in order to collect data and meet safety requirements. Maintenance and operations task force personnel from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D. and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb. are conducting operational tasks supporting the launch. Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, is the launch decision authority for this mission. Col. David Bliesner, the 576th FLTS commander, is the mission director.

Test launches are vital in ensuring the most powerful weapons in the nation's arsenal are safe, secure and effective, said Air Force Global Strike Command officials.

"Strategic deterrence and assurance of our allies depends on potential adversaries being convinced of our nation's capability to employ ICBMs if national interests are threatened," Colonel Bliesner said. "It is important to demonstrate and assess the powerful capability and performance of our ICBM fleet."

The entire ICBM community, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will use the data collected from this mission for continuing force development evaluation.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Minuteman III launch 2010 Sept. 15th

www.vandenberg.af.mil : MINUTEMAN LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

Posted 9/14/2010 Updated 9/14/2010

9/14/2010 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed operational test Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile has been rescheduled to launch from north Vandenberg Friday, Sept. 17, between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle is expected to travel approximately 5,300 miles, to a pre-determined target about 200 miles southwest of Guam.

The launch has been rescheduled because of the need to ensure data collection equipment in the impact area is fully ready, according to officials. Neither the missile nor any missile launch mechanisms at Vandenberg are the cause of the delay, officials said.

 

[EarthlingX]

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil : VANDENBERG CONDUCTS MINUTEMAN III FLIGHT TEST

Posted 9/17/2010 Updated 9/17/2010


U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andrew Lee

- VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A scheduled unarmed operational test Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launch occurred here at 3:03 a.m., Sept. 17 from Launch Facility-09.

The missile's single reentry test vehicle traveled approximately 5,300 miles to a pre-determined target about 200 miles southwest of Guam. ICBM analysts, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will use the data collected to ensure the readiness and capability of the ICBM fleet.

"The launch process requires tremendous teamwork and involves months of preparation," said Col. David Bliesner, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander. "The data gained from these launches allows us to maintain a high readiness capability and ensures operational effectiveness of the most powerful weapons in the nation's arsenal."

The launch was a combined effort of the 576th FLTS here; 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.; 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.; and the 30th Space Wing here.

 

[trailrider]

Way to go, Blue! Sounds like MIMS did their job once more, keeping the capsule drivers in business!

 

[EarthlingX]

More comments :
SDC : Air Force Launches Suborbital Ballistic Missile In Weapons Test

By Tariq Malik
SPACE.com Managing Editor

posted: 17 September 2010
06:51 pm ET



An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile blasted off early Friday (Sept. 17) in the latest successful weapons test by the U.S. Air Force.

The Minuteman 3 missile launched from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, sending a single re-entry test vehicle into suborbital space on a flight that soared some 5,300 miles (8,530 km) across the Pacific Ocean. The test vehicle hit a pre-determined target about 200 miles (322 km) southwest of Guam, the Air Force said in a statement.