LGM-30G MINUTEMAN III

WebAnalyticsTests

The Minuteman III was the world's first MIRV'ed ICBM. A MIRV (multiple independent re-entry vehicles) permits each missile to carry multiple warheads, and direct each one at a separate target. The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile.


Features of Minuteman III:
• The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an intercontinental-range, silo-based, solid propellant ballistic missile system.
• It is equipped with multiple warheads to further increase the number of targets that can be effectively attacked.
• The Minuteman III missile has a maximum range of 13,000 km (8078 miles) and carries a payload of three Reentry Vehicles (RVs).
• It is an effective response system with an extremely fast launch time, a nearly 100 percent reliability and backup airborne launch controllers to ensure a counterstrike.

Product Life Cycle:
The first Minuteman III flight took place on 16 August 1968. The first operational missile was emplaced in its silo on 17 April 1970 at Minot AFB, with the first squadron becoming operational on 29 December 1970. The current Minuteman force consists of 450 Minuteman III missiles in missile silos around F.E.Warren AFB, Wyoming, Malmstrom AFB, Montana and Minot AFB, North Dakota. The Air Force planned to keep the missile in service until 2020, but it may be upgraded to stay in service until 2030. The primary contractor behind the development of the Minuteman III was Boeing Aerospace Company.

Dimensions and Performance:
Length: 59.9 feet (18 meters)
Weight: 79,432 pounds (32,158 kilograms)
Diameter: 5.5 feet (1.67 meters)
Range: 6,000-plus miles (5,218 nautical miles)
Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout
Accuracy: 120 m CEP


Components:
Propulsion : 3-stages solid-fueled rocket motor
Engine: 1st stage Thiokol M-55e solid fuel motor, 2nd stage Aerojet General solid fuel motor and 3rd stage Thiokol 73-AJ-1 solid fuel motor
Payload: 12xMK-3 RV(MIRV)
Warhead: Nuclear W62 170 kT, W78 335 to 350 kT, W87 300 to 475 kT
Guidance : Inertial guidance system

Trident D-5

Trident D-5 represents the most modern submarine-launched ballistic missile. It makes up the entirety of US submarine-based nuclear deterrent and a key part of the US nuclear deterrent force. It is the first US submarine-based missile to have a capability against hardened targets.

Features of Trident D-5:

· The UGM-133 Trident D-5 is an intercontinental-range, submarine-launched, solid-propellant ballistic missile.

· The use of Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) warheads enables the Trident D-5 to destroy a large number of silo-based missiles in a first strike.

· The Trident D-5 has a maximum range of 12,000 km (7,456 miles), similar to that of silo-based systems, and has a payload as large as 2,800 kg.

· Trident II is fired by the pressure of expanding gas in the launch tube. When the missile attains sufficient distance from the submarine, the first stage motor ignites, the aerospike extends and the boost stage begins.

Product Life Cycle:

The first test launch occurred in January 1987 from a launch pad, with the first naval trial, a failure, occurring in March 1989. The UGM-133 Trident D-5 entered service in the US Navy in 1990. The life span of the missile has been extended to 42 years, until the next-generation Trident E-6 enters service in 2030. The Trident D-5 missile is currently used by both the United Kingdom and the United States on their respective Vanguard- and Ohio-class submarines. The primary contractor behind the development of the D-5 was Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Missile and Space Operations.

Dimensions and Performance:

Length : 13.42m (7.35m 1st-stage, 3.12m 2nd-stage)

Body Diameter : 2.11m

Launch Weight : 59,090kg

Range : 7,360-12,000km

Speed : 6,096m/sec

Accuracy : 120m CEP

Components:

Propulsion : 3-stages solid-fueled rocket motor

Engine : 1st and 2nd stage: Hercules/Morton-Thiokol solid-fueled rocket, 3rd stage: United Technologies Corp. solid-fueled rocket

Payload : 8xMk-5 RVs(MIRV)

Warhead : W-88 nuclear warhead (475kT)

Guidance : stellar-aided inertial guidance system with Navster GPS reception for updates.

Type of MISSILES

Ballistic Missiles:

Ballistic Missiles are just as one would throw a ball or spear, the rocket’s engine gives the missile an initial push, after which its flight is affected only by gravity. Ballistic missiles do not fly. They go up, and they come down. Because they do not burn oxygen from the air, ballistic missiles can fly beyond earth’s atmosphere. A ballistic missile is a tube from approximately thirty to over one hundred feet tall, almost completely filled with either liquid or solid fuel. At the bottom of the tube are the engines and direction controls—either fins (as in older models) or small sideways thrusters. Liquid fuel is typically some distillate rich in carbon and hydrogen. In the engines, this combines with liquid oxygen, ignites, and provides thrust. Solid fuel consists of some powdered metals such as zinc or magnesium, combined with a solid source of oxygen, and something that binds the mixture and regulates the burn. The engines simply direct the resulting thrust. But once solid fuel missiles are lit, the fuel will burn until done. At the top of the missile are its brains—the guidance systems. Above these is the payload.

Ballistic missiles are most often categorized as short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs, and ICBMs). SRBMs are effective to 300 miles (480 km), MRBMs from 300 to 600 miles (480 to 965 km), IRBMs from 600 to 3,300 miles (965 to 5,310 km), and ICBMs more than 3,300 miles (5,310 km).

They can carry conventional as well as nuclear warheads. A ballistic missile can be launched from land, from a silo, from mobile platforms on trucks or trains, from submarine or ship, or from an airplane.

Cruise Missiles:

Cruise missiles are pilot less airplanes, either remote controlled or pre-programmed. They fly through the air, and only through the air. The engines of cruise missiles, like those of aircraft, burn oxygen from the air. Like all other kinds of aircraft, cruise missiles are held up by the flow of air over their wings. Their engines work throughout the flight, not just at the beginning. Cruise missiles fly horizontally rather than in arches, reach only about twice the speed of sound, and typically travel from tens to hundreds of miles.

Cruise Missiles can be categorized as Long-range subsonic having range of over 1000 Kms, Medium Range subsonic having a range of 300 kms to 1000 kms, short range subsonic having a range of 70 kms to 300 kms and Supersonic cruise missiles having a range of 100 kms to 500kms but can be greater.

Cruise Missiles can carry conventional and nuclear warheads. Cruise Missiles can be launched from land, air, ship or submarine. Air and submarine launched cruise missiles are lighter and smaller than land and ship launched versions.

Other than this depending upon the functionality missiles can be categorized as

• Air-to-air missile
• Air-to-surface missile
• Anti-ballistic missile
• Anti-satellite weapon
• Anti-ship missile
• Anti-tank guided missile
• Surface-to-air missile
• Wire-guided missile

Lockheed Martin / Boeing F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a 5th generation Aircraft. The F-22 is the only fighter capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions with near impunity. In addition to being America’s most prominent air-superiority fighter, the F-22 evolved from its original concept to become a lethal, survivable and flexible multimission fighter. By taking advantage of emerging technologies the F-22 has emerged as a superior platform for many diverse missions including intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic attack.

Features of F 22 Raptor
• Advanced stealth – enables 24/7 operations while remaining virtually undetected by enemy forces
• Supercruise speeds greater than Mach 1.5 without afterburners – enhance survivability/lethality
• Extreme fighter agility – allows outmaneuvering through acceleration and razor-sharp turns
• Information fusion – generates 360-degree battlespace awareness for pilot
• Joint force enabler – assures future air dominance for joint and coalition forces


Variants:

Under the Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) program, a carrier-borne variant of the F-22 with swing-wings was proposed for the U.S. Navy to replace the F-14 Tomcat, though the program was subsequently cancelled in 1993. A two-seat F-22B trainer variant was planned, but was cut in 1996 to save development costs. Another more recent proposal is the FB-22, which would be used as a deep strike bomber for the USAF, but there has yet to be any word on whether the USAF plans further development of the program. The FB-22 was projected to carry up to 30 Small Diameter Bombs to about twice the range of the F-22A, while maintaining the F-22's stealth and supersonic speed.

Product Life Cycle:

By 1990 Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics, had built and flown the demonstration prototype aircraft, designated YF-22. The first F-22 fighter aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name Raptor. In September 2002, the USAF decided to redesignate the aircraft F/A-22 to reflect its multi-mission capability in ground attack as well as air-to-air roles. The aircraft's designation was changed again to F-22A when it achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in December 2005. The decision to proceed to low-rate initial production (LRIP) was authorised in August 2001 and Lockheed Martin delivered 49 aircraft under LRIP contracts. Initial operational test and evaluation began in April 2004 and was successfully completed in February 2005. A further 60 Raptors were ordered in July 2007, bringing the total ordered to 183, with production to 2011. In November 2008, funding for four additional raptors was approved, increasing the total ordered jets to 187, with the buying scheduled in the second half of the fiscal year 2009. The USAF has a total requirement of 243 aircraft but funding was not made available for more than 187. By July 2008, 122 aircraft had been delivered. Holloman AFB is expected to deliver another 40 aircraft by the end of 2010.

Unit Cost US$142.6 million (2009 flyaway cost)

Specifications:
Dimensions:
Length: 62.07ft (18.92m)
Width:44.49ft (13.56m)
Height: 16.47ft (5.02m)

Structure:

Accommodation: 1
Hardpoints: 4 External and 8 Internal Hardpoints
Empty Weight: 31,998lbs (14,514kg)
MTOW: 54,999lbs (24,947kg)

Performance:

Max Speed: 1,599mph (2,574kmh; 1,390kts)
Max Range: 2,000miles (3,218km)
Rate-of-Climb:0ft/min (0m/min)
Service Ceiling: 50,000ft (15,240m; 9.5miles)

Powerplant:

Engine(s): 2 x Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 afterburning turbofans generating 35,000lbs of thrust each.

Armament Suite:

1 x 20mm Cannon 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinders (side weapon bays)
4 x AIM-120A Amraams (internal ventral bay)
6 x AIM-120Cs (internal ventral bay)
6 x GBU-32 JDAM PGMs (internal ventral bay)
8 x GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (250lbs ea)
4 x underwing hardpoints with a maximum of 5,000lbs (2,270kg) of mission-specific weaponry or fuel droptanks.

To know more about F- 22 Raptors please visit

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=20
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f22/
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f22/f-22-capabilities.html

Mikoyan MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F)

The MiG-35 is "4++" generation multi-role fighter, exhibiting the further development of the MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 fighters in the field of the combat efficiency enhancement, universality and operational characteristics improvement.

Main features of MiG-35/MiG-35D:

· The fifth generation information-sighting systems integration into aircraft airborne avionics.

· Possibility of advanced Russian and foreign origin weapons application.

· Increased combat survivability due to integration of airborne integrated defense system.

· Air superiority gaining against four & fifth generation fighters.

· Interception of existing and being developed air attack means.

· Ground/surface targets destruction with high precision weapons without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions.

·The OLS on the MiG-35 is considered to help pilots to spot even the USAF's stealth planes.

Variants:

The fighter plane is being marketed globally under the designation MiG-35 (single seat) and MiG-35D (dual seat).

Product Life Cycle:

The final version of MiG-35 was displayed for the first time at Aero India 2007.

Unit cost $127.3 million

Specifications:

Dimensions:

Length: 62.34ft (19.00m)
Width:49.21ft (15.00m)
Height: 19.69ft (6.00m)

Structure:

Accommodation: 1 or 2
Hardpoints: 8
Empty Weight: 38,581lbs (17,500kg)
MTOW: 65,477lbs (29,700kg)

Performance:

Max Speed: 1,588mph (2,556kmh; 1,380kts)
Max Range: 1,243miles (2,000km)
Rate-of-Climb:65,000ft/min (19,812m/min)
Service Ceiling: 62,008ft (18,900m; 11.7miles)

Powerplant:

Engine(s): 2 x Klimov RD-33K turbofan engines developing 19,840 lbf each with afterburn capable.

Armament Suite:

1 x 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon

OPTIONAL:
4 x AA-10 Alamo air-to-air missiles (R-27R, R-27T, R-27ER, R-27ET)

4 x AA-8 Aphid air-to-air missiles

8 x AA-11 Archer air-to-air missiles (R-73E, R-73M, R-74M)

8 x AA-12 Adder air-to-air missiles

4 x AS-17 Krypton anti-radiation missiles (Kh-31A, Kh-31P)

4 x AS-14 Kedge (Kh-29T, Kh-29L) air-to-surface missiles

4 x AS-20 anti-ship missile

S-24 unguided/laser-guided rockets

S-25L unguided/laser-guided rockets

S-250 unguided/laser-guided rockets

S-13 unguided/laser-guided rockets

S-8 unguided/laser-guided rockets

KAB-500L laser-guided bombs

KAB-500T TV-guided bombs

FAB-250 drop bombs

FAB-500 drop bombs

ZAB-500 fuel-air explosive bombs

Boeing / McDonnell Douglas / Northrop F/A-18 Super Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.

Features of F/A-18 Super Hornet

The F/A-18E/F aircraft are 4.2 feet longer than earlier Hornets, have a 25% larger wing area, and carry 33% more internal fuel which will effectively increase mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%.

It has an all-weather air-to-air radar and a control system for accurate delivery of conventional or guided weapons

The F/A-18 has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease. At the same time, this system provides exceptional maneuverability and allows the pilot to concentrate on operating the weapons system.

A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with energy sustainability, enable the F/A-18 to hold its own against any adversary.

Variants:

F/A-18E Super Hornet: single seat variant

F/A-18F Super Hornet: two-seat variant

EA-18G Growler: The electronic warfare version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, slated to begin production in 2008, with fleet deployment in 2009. The EA-18G will replace the U.S. Navy's EA-6B Prowler.

Product life cycle:

The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29 1995.

The first low-rate initial production aircraft was delivered in December 1998, and all 12 of the first batch were delivered by November 1999. In February 1999, the US Navy placed an order for 30 Super Hornets, in addition to the 12 already ordered. Following successful completion of operational evaluation, in June 2000 the USN ordered 222 fighters to be produced over the next five years.

The first full-rate production aircraft was delivered in September 2001. Over 200 aircraft have been delivered.

A second multi-year contract was signed in January 2004 for 42 aircraft to be purchased between 2005 and 2009. Total requirement is for at least 545 aircraft.

Unit cost US$54.7 million

Specifications:

Dimensions:

Length: 60.07ft (18.31m)
Width:44.69ft (13.62m)
Height: 16.01ft (4.88m)

Structure:

Accommodation: 1 or 2
Hardpoints: 11
Empty Weight: 30,565lbs (13,864kg)
MTOW: 47,003lbs (21,320kg)

Performance:

Max Speed: 1,187mph (1,911kmh; 1,032kts)
Max Range: 680miles (1,095km)
Rate-of-Climb: classified
Service Ceiling: 49,213ft (15,000m; 9.3miles)

Powerplant:

Engine(s): 2 x General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engines generating 22,000lbs of thrust with afterburner.

Armament Suite:

1 x 20mm cannon

Mission-specific ordnance limited up to 17,750lbs may include any of the following:

AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

AIM-120 AMRAAM - air-to-air missiles

AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
AGM-84E SLAM

AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles

SLAM-ER

AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles

LAU Multiple Rocket Launcher

AGM-154 JSW (Joint Standoff Weapon) bombs

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs

B61 Nuclear Dumb Bomb

Paveway Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB)

Mk 80 General Purpose Bombs

Mk-20 Rockeye II Cluster Bombs

Mk 20 CBU Cluster Bombs

Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is truly cosmopolitan. Designed and constructed by a consortium of companies under contract to the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain. The collective military requirements of the Partner Nations are the foundation of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. Eurofighter Typhoon is a highly agile Air Superiority and Air-to-Surface, multi-role/swing-role weapon system.

Features of Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon

The twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon blends a potent mixture of capability, survivability, design and production values that rival any aircraft offered up in the West. The system features the latest in voice-controlled activation, digital computer processors, advanced fly-by-wire control and powerful afterburning turbojet engines to propel it well into the next decade.

The Typhoon features a host of tracking, targeting, avionics and weapons packages that offer up potent potentiality in any combat theater. Canard foreplanes add a level of agility.

In terms of stealth capability, the system was designed from the outset to produce only a small radar signature. Features include low frontal Radar Cross Section (RCS), passive sensors and supercruise capability.

Variants

The Eurofighter is produced in single-seat and twin-seat variants. The twin-seat variant is not used operationally, but only for training. The aircraft has been manufactured in three major standards; seven Development Aircraft (DA), seven production standard Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) for further system development and a continuing number of Series Production Aircraft. The production aircraft are now operational with the partner nation's air forces.

The Tranche 1 aircraft were produced from 2000 onwards. Aircraft capabilities are being increased incrementally, with each software upgrade resulting in a different standard, known as blocks.With the introduction of the Block 5 standard, the R2 retrofit programme began to bring all aircraft to that standard.

Product Life Cycle

The Chiefs of Air Staff of the four nations (Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) agree on the revised European Common Staff Requirement-Development for the development of a new European fighter aircraft in January 1994. The first Eurofighter, DA1 makes its first flight from Manching, Germany in March 1994. The Defence Ministers of the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bonn , covering Production Investment and Production and Logistic Support in December 1997. Eurofighter GmbH and NETMA sign the Production Investment, Production and Support contracts for 620 Eurofighter aircraft for the air forces of the UK , Germany , Italy and Spain in January 1998. Maiden flights of the first four Series Production Aircraft (SPA) in the four Eurofighter Partner Nations - Germany , Italy , Spain and the United Kingdom in February 2003 . This event is a milestone for the Eurofighter Typhoon programme as it approaches Entry to Service. Delivery of Single Seaters started in December 2004, with Spanish & Italian Air Forces to receive the first aircrafts. Germany and UK will follow shortly.

Unit cost GB₤ 69.3 million

Specifications:

Dimensions:

Length: 52.36ft (15.96m)
Width: 35.93ft (10.95m)
Height: 17.32ft (5.28m)

Structure:

Accommodation: 1
Hardpoints: 9
Empty Weight: 22,024lbs (9,990kg)
MTOW: 46,297lbs (21,000kg)

Performance:

Max Speed: 1,255mph (2,020kmh; 1,091kts)
Max Range: 864miles (1,390km)
Rate-of-Climb:17,500ft/min (5,334m/min)
Service Ceiling: 55,036ft (16,775m; 10.4miles)

Powerplant:

Engine(s): 2 x EJ200 afterburning turbofans generating 20,250 lbs of thrust.

Armament Suite:

1 x 27mm cannon

Mission specific armament includes:

ASRAAM air-to-air missiles
IRIS-T air-to-air missiles
AMRAAM long range air-to-air missiles
Meteor long range air-to-air missiles
Storm Shadow stand-off missiles
KEPD350 Stand-off missiles
ALARM anti-radar missiles
GBU-10 laser-guided bombs
GBU-12 laser-guided bombs
Brimstone anti-armor weapon

External carrying ordnance up to 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs).