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23 August 2005 |
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http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2005/08/23/news/... |
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In this summer's second test of its type, an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base early Thursday. Blastoff is targeted for 1:01 a.m., but the launch window remains open until 7:01 a.m. in case of delays caused by weather or technical troubles. The military will track the missile's lone dummy warhead as it travels approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes to a target near the Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. Thursday's liftoff is part of a developmental test program to demonstrate the ability to integrate a "Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle," or SERV, into the existing Minuteman 3 weapons system. It comes as the Air Force implements several measures to extend the life of the Minuteman system, including using warheads off the soon-to-be-inactivated Peacekeeper missiles. The first SERV test took place in late July from Vandenberg. Thursday's missile will launch under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron with the 576th's Capt. Justine Adams serving as the launch director. Members of the 576th handled all maintenance duties. Missile crew members from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and the 576th's Top Hand program are conducting missile crew duties, including issuing the final launch command. (See also: http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/icbm/lgm-30_3.htm) |
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19 August 2005 |
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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for launch from North Vandenberg August 25 as
part of a developmental test to demonstrate the ability to integrate a safety enhanced re-entry vehicle into the existing Minuteman III weapons system. The six-hour launch window is from
1:01 a.m. to 7:01 a.m. PST. The missile will launch under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron here. Captain Justine Adams, 576 FLTS, is the launch director. The 576 FLTS commander, Lt Col S.L. Davis is the mission director. Col Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing commander, is the spacelift commander. Members of the 576 FLTS have performed maintenance activities to include missile emplacement and installation of unique missile tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems to collect test data and meet safety requirements. In addition, missile crew members deployed from the 564th Missile Squadon, Malmstrom AFB, Montana led by Capt David Washer, along with members of the 576 FLTS Top Hand program will conduct missile crew duties to include issuing the final launch command. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle is expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a pre-determined target at the Ronald Reagan Test Site near the Kwajalein Atoll in the western chain of the Marshall Islands. This test continues a long tradition of ICBM test launches from Vandenberg AFB that serve to ensure a safe, secure and effective weapon system that that is critical to continued global stability. The best public viewing site for this launch is at a cement pad on Skyscreen Road off of Corral Road just before reaching the Weather Station. LAUNCH VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
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