BGM-75 AICBM: Difference between revisions

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==Cancellation==
==Cancellation==
In 1967, before any formal specifications for the ZBGM-75 could be developed or requests for proposals from industry issued, the [[Secretary of Defense]], [[Robert MacNamara]], declined approval for funding for the AICBM project&nbsp;– although development of the superhardened silo did continue for use by the Minuteman force<ref name="Carter"/>&nbsp;– and the missile was cancelled.<ref name="DS"/> Had funding been allotted, the USAF projected that the BGM-75 would have been in operational service by 1973.<ref name="Carter"/>
In 1967, before any formal specifications for the ZBGM-75 could be developed or requests for proposals from industry issued, the [[United States Secretary of Defense]], [[Robert McNamara]], declined approval for funding for the AICBM project&nbsp;– although development of the superhardened silo did continue for use by the Minuteman force<ref name="Carter"/>&nbsp;– and the missile was cancelled.<ref name="DS"/> Had funding been allotted, the USAF projected that the BGM-75 would have been in operational service by 1973.<ref name="Carter"/>


After the cancellation of WS-120A, no further development of new ICBMs was to be done until 1972, when the M-X project, which became the [[LGM-118 Peacekeeper]], was begun.<ref name="DS"/> The Peacekeeper entered service in the mid-1980s, and served until 2005,<ref>Edwards 2005</ref> the Minuteman family of ICBMs outlasting both of its planned replacements in service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/aicbm.htm |title=AICBM |publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica |accessdate=2009-12-07| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100107183350/http://astronautix.com/lvs/aicbm.htm| archivedate= 7 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
After the cancellation of WS-120A, no further development of new ICBMs was to be done until 1972, when the M-X project, which became the [[LGM-118 Peacekeeper]], was begun.<ref name="DS"/> The Peacekeeper entered service in the mid-1980s, and served until 2005,<ref>Edwards 2005</ref> the Minuteman family of ICBMs outlasting both of its planned replacements in service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/aicbm.htm |title=AICBM |publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica |accessdate=2009-12-07| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100107183350/http://astronautix.com/lvs/aicbm.htm| archivedate= 7 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

Revision as of 22:11, 9 August 2013

ZBGM-75
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin United States
Service history
Used byUnited States Air Force
Production history
No. built0
Specifications
Warhead10–20 MIRV
EngineSolid fuel rocket
Guidance
system
Inertial
Launch
platform
Silos, railway

The Advanced Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, also known as Weapons System 120A (WS-120A) and ZBGM-75, was a program to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), proposed by the United States Air Force in the 1960s. Intended to replace the LGM-30 Minuteman as the Air Force's standard ICBM, funding for the program was not allocated and the project was cancelled in 1967.

Background

Started in 1966, the Advanced Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (AICBM) project was intended as a successor to the LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM in United States Air Force service.[1] The program was officially launched in April of that year, and in June the project was designated ZBGM-75,[1] the "Z" indicating a project in the planning stage.[2]

The specifications for the ZBGM-75 called for a large missile powered by solid fuel,[3] and fitted with between 10 and 20 Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).[4] The missiles would be based in silo launchers that would be hardened by a factor of 10 over existing Minuteman missile silos.[5] In addition, there was also a plan to develop a railroad-based deployment system for the AICBM.[1] Improvements in accuracy over existing missiles, combined with penetration aids under development to enhance the effectiveness of each missile, were expected to make the AICBM capable of defeating existing and projected Soviet antiballistic missile systems.[4]

Cancellation

In 1967, before any formal specifications for the ZBGM-75 could be developed or requests for proposals from industry issued, the United States Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, declined approval for funding for the AICBM project – although development of the superhardened silo did continue for use by the Minuteman force[4] – and the missile was cancelled.[1] Had funding been allotted, the USAF projected that the BGM-75 would have been in operational service by 1973.[4]

After the cancellation of WS-120A, no further development of new ICBMs was to be done until 1972, when the M-X project, which became the LGM-118 Peacekeeper, was begun.[1] The Peacekeeper entered service in the mid-1980s, and served until 2005,[6] the Minuteman family of ICBMs outlasting both of its planned replacements in service.[7]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Parsch 2003
  2. ^ Parsch 2009
  3. ^ Tammen 1973, p.88.
  4. ^ a b c d Auten 2008, pp.42–43.
  5. ^ Hartunian 2003
  6. ^ Edwards 2005
  7. ^ "AICBM". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Bibliography

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