
To decrease the amount of time required for replenishment and maintenance, Ohio-class submarines have three large-diameter logistics hatches that allow sailors to rapidly transfer supply pallets, equipment replacement modules and machinery components, thereby increasing their operational availability. The ballistic missile submarine's strategic weapon is the Trident II D5 missile, which provides increased range and accuracy over the now out-of-service Trident I C4 missile.īallistic missile submarines are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads.Įach of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs can carry up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with multiple, independently targeted warheads. The Navy's ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as an undetectable launch platform for missiles. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The current ICBM force consists of Minuteman III missiles located at the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Today's Minuteman weapon system is the product of almost 60 years of continuous enhancement. Modernization programs have resulted in new versions of the missile, expanded targeting options, and improved accuracy and survivability.


Through state-of-the-art improvements, the Minuteman system has evolved to meet new challenges and assume new missions. Minuteman's maintenance concept capitalizes on high reliability and a "remove and replace" approach to achieve a near 100% alert rate. From the beginning, Minuteman missiles have provided a quick-reacting, inertially guided, highly survivable component to America's strategic deterrent program.

Both the missile and basing components incorporated significant advances beyond the relatively slow-reacting, liquid-fueled, remotely controlled intercontinental ballistic missiles of the previous generation. Minuteman was a revolutionary concept and an extraordinary technical achievement. The Minuteman weapon system was conceived in the late 1950s and Minuteman I was deployed in the early 1960s.
