LGM-30 Minuteman: America's Nuclear Deterrent for 60 Years

Explore the fascinating history and future of the US Minuteman ICBM, a 62-year keystone of nuclear defense. Discover its origins, technological evolution, and the looming transition to the new LGM-35 Sentinel.
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[@FallenPhoenix86]

"The ageing B-2" Think I can hear the B-52's laughing at that one.

[@BillLaBrie]

The B2 is disco bomber. The B52 is rock n roll. Rock n roll is forever!

[@Sir_Scrumpalicious]

Loveshack baby.

[@chaddog313]

The buff is immortal

[@zaco-km3su]

B-52s might not be here for long.

[@xainatus55683]

The Js coming in like "the world will fear my seed"

[@valdmaniszero]

Hey, former Minuteman III maintainer here (2010's). I just wanted to add that while the MM3 was designed as a MIRV system, the total deployed warhead limitations in the New Start treaty resulted in the retirement of the newer Peacekeeper missile that wasn't really mentioned (which was designed to mount 10 warheads instead of 3 ) and the redeployment of all MM3's as single warhead systems. Essentially, it was decided instead of having 45 silos with a 10 warhead missile each, we would use the 450 MM3 silos already in service with 1 warhead each, which would theoretically force the Soviets to use more of their arsenal targeting those silos instead of other strategic/civilian targets. I do think that the Sentinel will likely be DESIGNED with the capability for MIRV deployment thanks to rising tensions with Russia and Putin's suspension of the New START treaty last year, but unless/until the US abandons the treaty's limitations, the Sentinel will almost certainly be deployed with a single warhead per missile.

[@franky334444]

Didn’t know a missile janitor would have such in depth knowledge. Nuclear tactics and treaty components. I can’t imagine what a real technician would know.

[@geekswithfeet9137]

How are you allowed to talk about this?

[@myrlyn1250]

@@franky334444 Anyone CAN have such knowledge, if they look for it, or just pay attention to the news. I knew this, and I'm a nobody. If I worked in a facility like that, damn sure I'd be paying attention and reading up on it.

[@franky334444]

@@geekswithfeet9137 world of tanks leaker 😬

[@myrlyn1250]

Also, I think they switched to using decoys and chaff in place of the extra warheads. Makes it harder for the air defense.

[@williamdurland3383]

Not one to criticize Simon, as I love all of his channels but technically--the Titan used storable liquid propellants. They were extremely toxic, dangerous and hazardous but they were non cryogenic and hypergolic, so the missile could be fueled and then lowered into the silo where it could remain for some weeks or months. Unfortunately then it had to be completely flushed cleaned and inspected which was time-consuming and very dangerous.

[@borghorsa1902]

So you suggest disarmament? One sided?

[@Chelnaka]

@@borghorsa1902dude what? How did you get that from his statement?

[@lukekowa]

Good point Will I think you are both correct - with this: I believe the definition of “storable” is different for both of you. That said - manufacturing/storage/shelflife/maintenance of hypergolic propellants has massively increased in the last decade. I would be curious what the results of a case study would be using today’s standards.

[@TheOneAndOnlySatan]

Simon is getting older and starts making little mistakes.its okay we love you joltin joe !❤

[@blurglide]

Titan II did. Titan 1 was fueled before launch. The launch facilities for Titan 1 were these MASSIVE multi-billion dollar underground cities that were only used for 4 years before being replaced by Titan 2.

[@LastMumzy]

I served as an Air Force officer for eight years as a Missile Combat Crew Commander (13S). If you ever watch a movie where the president says launch the missiles and then it cuts away to two officers in the silo turning their 'key'.. that was me!

[@floridaboz1]

I was the one of the people topside that you would send chasing after jackrabbits.

[@SPLICER21PS3]

Gross

[@mattt233]

I always wonder how they get this footage of launching. I mean wouldn't that start a war? I figure they would notify of a test but still how would the other side know it wasn't a trick so they wouldn't launch in response? But then again as I type this it would probably be limited to 1 missile which you wouldn't use if you were launching an attack as you would launch all in an attack. I guess I answered my own question but it would be good to get a missileer's opinion.

[@inmyimage1081]

Ever work with a Tackett?

[@inmyimage1081]

@@mattt233 Testing in the cold war period was clearly communicated in advance and then very very closely monitored.

[@brianbedoe8656]

The Titan II missile was a fully liquid fueled missle, which could launch from inside its underground silo in about 60 seconds. Its quick launch was made possible by "hypergolic" liquid fuels, which allowed it to respond to a preemptive nuclear attack before incoming missiles got them. ..... Hope this helps!

[@tyronewalker5764]

My Dad worked on the Titan-2 while in the USAF.

[@BabyMakR]

How long could it remain fuelled for before it needed to be taken out, flushed, refurbished to then be refuelled?

[@yeticonfettis]

@@BabyMakR I have a feeling info like that is classified, as that could effect readiness

[@davidschultz3585]

@@BabyMakR Years

[@brianbedoe8656]

@@BabyMakR I believe it was capable of months of storage in the missle..... Most of the titan II explosions in the 80's were during this fuel change out. Look up Titan II explosions in Sept 1980. There was a TV Movie made of it called, Disaster at silo 7

[@RyanLAbernathy]

Simon….. with allll the channels you have I have a few questions.. 1) Do you ever stop filming? 2) Do you ever leave the studio? 3) How do you get your beard to look so dang good!!?? Great job sir!

[@TheKeirsunishi]

4. Do you wax or bic that potato noggin?

[@b.thomas8926]

The missile always knows where it is, because it knows where it isn't....

[@richardconway6425]

only if it knew where it was.

[@pritambissonauth2181]

@@richardconway6425 Good One, only also knew what it WAS too . . . It would self-destruct.

[@OhioScot]

My father was an electrician in the USAF stationed in Montana during the 1960's working on the Minuteman II missile system, said it was the best posting he ever had next to when the Air Force still had a an airbase in Châteauroux-Déols .

[@joelstiffler5137]

The Multiple warhead issue isn't a national ego thing its a matter of compliance with Strategic Arms limitations treaties. And the fate of the decommissioned Minute men III will be like the Atlas, Titan and Minutman I and II missels, they will get expended as space boosters.

[@greglane3978]

LGM-118 Peacekeeper. Those were some serious missiles. No longer in existence due to treaties.

[@floridaboz1]

Did security for them during the short run they was around, very proud of my time in FE Warren when i did that

[@Bramon83]

*wink*

[@legodragonxp]

@@Bramon83 Is that a 'bus wink'?

[@Bramon83]

@@legodragonxp if that means “sure did decommission those nukes.” Yes. If it means something else. Yes.

[@InHerMajestiesDefense]

yeah i wonder why. if only america gave a fuck about human life

[@treydezellem27]

It always ticks me off when people say that the US is spending so much money on defense and they combine it with GDP of other nations, those other nations aren’t doing anything to try and ensure trade or peace around the world

[@kennedyjoseph7398]

Ticks me off too they are spending for the peoples safety stop complain and let the government send the money you gave them to defend the country you in.

[@tylerk3616]

Maybe the lack of peace is due to spending so much money on bombing people. Hmmm that’s a thought.

[@cpob2013]

And then they have the nerve to demand we spend billions on their crises

[@jaredtaylor4469]

Especially since they’re spending the same percentage, they just have a bigger pool to draw from. It’s not like they’re spending 20-50%

[@floridaboz1]

I am proud to say that i was able to guard them for for 5 years. At FE Warren AFB, I miss that time of my life

[@DASBIGUN]

Wait, I got too ask then. Did u go on to go to higher ranks or did u stop where u were at? From what I hear it's sorta a thing of a "dead-end" sorta position. I am actually curious

[@floridaboz1]

@@DASBIGUN The rank structure in the military does not really change. So there is many people that went on to other bases, and higher ranks, even a few i know who ended up being officers. Many people went on to other bases, and did other jobs within the Security Forces career field. Security in the military is jobs like guarding ICBMs, flight line security, on base law enforcement and many other things. Even within the ranks of doing this job, you have your enlisted, officers and so on. So there is plenty of room to move forward in ranks I personally served my time, than got extended slightly due to stop loss, and got out. I honestly regret getting out, but it is what it is, i am happy now. I started at a E1 and got out as a E4, and would of been a E5 within months of being in. I know i am not the best at the grammar thing, but if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Just to fill in a blank, I served from 1998 to 2002, Fe Warren AFB, 790th SFS RF1

[@chaselewis3819]

​@DASBIGUN it's pretty much mandatory at least once for 4 years in current Air Force.

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

West Germany in the 1970s. Only one year. US Army.

[@SlapStyleAnims]

That was an officer position right?

[@tomcook5813]

My mother worked on a program called “Rail Garrison” thru TRW ballistic missile office. Might be a good future presentation idea, thank you 😊

[@armlegx]

The "near as damnit" verbal tic in this script became grating quickly. Writer: you get one/script.

[@NexxtTimeDontMiss]

What?! You high ?

[@HunterAtheist]

I thought this was so weird.

[@armlegx]

@@NexxtTimeDontMiss Near as damnit dude... Near as damnit.

[@wesh8121]

I'm so glad somebody said it!

[@lancefay6970]

I was thinking the same thing 😂

[@toddjohnson5692]

I worked on Minuteman 3 and Peacekeeper. Both excellent ICBMs for their time. The Peacekeeper would still be 'current' but it is not allowed by treaty. But I'm sure there are newer concepts that would be better. In fact, the statement of the M3s not being able to succeed against electronic warfare is also probably wrong. Their tech is so old that current deterrents probably wouldn't work on them. But I'm sure the fuel and needed repairs are an issue.

[@danjamesdixon9835]

​​@@anderspersen3260"An amazing ICBM 😍" is such a fucking weird statement. Professing love for a weapon of mass destruction; how very American.

[@colorsinmyeyes]

I was stationed at Malmstrom AFB, doing missile security back when I was in the Air Force. Ran security on a few convoys of them being taken to and from the base as well for repairs.

[@tori8380]

The Titan II was pre-fueled and ready for launch in its silo I believe.

[@perniciouspete4986]

Yeah, that's why one exploded in Damascus, Arkansas, in 1980 with a nuclear weapon on top of it. Quite a story.

[@willtrewarman5347]

​@@perniciouspete4986 strong recommend Command and Control for the most terrifying description of the nuclear arsenal!

[@iitzfizz]

It was, it used hypergolic fuel and could be stored this way. This is another video about nuclear weapons/ICBM's which has had errors.

[@smac1706]

I used to guard these things and lemme tell ya, they are massive, and if you ever see them launching, head for the hills lol. 💯🤣

[@RikestRik42]

Don't you mean head under the hills? Like, deeeeep under the hills.

[@dereks7061]

In Montana, we always are told that someday those hills may open up and light up 😮

[@d1j16]

If they go up, you have about 20 minutes to get to your vault.

[@Odinsjewl]

@@d1j16 aka....put your head between yer legs and kiss yourself goodbye

[@hydra70]

Like that line from The Day After, "Those are Minuteman missiles. They take about 30 minutes to reach their target." "So do theirs, right?"

[@Tamburello_1994]

Why not, Minot? Freezin the reason!

[@herethererainbows]

Yeah i would point that out too but my ex would say people in the know say Ma know

The semi-pro baseball team was the Minot What-nots !!

[@johndonigan7039]

Only the best come north! But the smart depart!

[@GryStyker]

5 side, lol.

[@russvoight1167]

Did 30 days TDY to Minot AFB. Best 30 days I ever had in the Air Force!

[@karliverson3414]

I grew up adjacent to Vandenburg AFB in California in the 80s, and got to take a tour of one of the silos. We walked the catwalks from the top down to the engines. It was huge and awesome!

[@finscreenname]

In the early 1930's the most advanced airplane was an open cockpit biplane made of wood, wires and fabric. Just 20 years later the first B52 took to the air.

[@bmw_fantopdrives5501]

🤯

[@HIFLY01]

In the early 1930s nations already were using metal planes... Cloth planes was being phased out at the end of the 1910s

[@finscreenname]

@@HIFLY01 Most of WWII's Hawker Hurricane's wings, rear fuselage, and tail surfaces were covered by fabric. As were many others. It's cheap and light weight. The US Navy didn't get it's first mono winged plane until the late 1930's just before the war and were still flying open cockpit biplanes. The point was we came a long way in a short time. Just like 20 years after the B52 we landed on the moon.

[@HIFLY01]

@@finscreenname the British were under siege in the 40s so like any country in their position, they need to make due with whats available. Kind of why 1938-1942 German weapon/vehicle quality is better than 1945. Not sure what the navy has to do with it since the Army at the time was the main user of planes and thus would get the funding and attention. US navy didn't have a dedicated stealth fighter until the past few years while the air force has since the 90s. The jet engine was made in the 1930s but wasn't practically used until the mid 40s and the first maned space flights started around 17 years after that.

[@roscoejones374]

First powered flight was in Kitty Hawk NC in 1903. 1969 American landed on the moon. 66 years is all it took. Nukes are almost 80 years old, what kind of super weapons exist we don't know about.

[@blakegreen3694]

Talking about the guidance, the quote "The missile knows where it is by subtracting where it is from where it isn't" is all I heard

[@huntermitchell761]

I cant stop thinking about how Simon used the term "near as dammit" 3 times in one video hahahaha

[@brovid-19]

blorf

[@bj3rk3n]

Minute North Dakota 🤣🤣 I believe the locals say "Mynot" for it but still got a laugh.

[@davidschultz3585]

I remember hearing the phrase " Why not Minot?" quite a bit when my dad was at Ellsworth AFB, SD.

[@joesephray208]

@@davidschultz3585 Freezin the reason

[@LikeTheBuffalo]

The writer of this article has a "near-as-damnit" word whisker

[@TheMeepster72]

The minuteman missiles currently only have 1 warhead each. This is because of treaties limiting the number of warheads that can be deployed and we'd rather keep as many as possible on the submarines.

[@zacharybaird9236]

I got family in Wyoming whose property sits right next to the very edge of some launch silos. Got a 10 ft tall chain fence and razor wire that straddles their property. Have an on-going problem of wildlife and dumbasses tripping the motion sensors and having to be calledxby the security personnel to find out why. Also, makes their property super safe

[@bradmaas6875]

Super safe until some numb-nut decides to push the button

[@ytgytgy]

as a person who grew up in FE Warren/cheyenne, I think I know exactly who you're talking about xD I think they offer private tours of the decommissioned munition plant/silos, the one they live next to was designated "566-2". My friends and I, amongst many people before, used to be the dumbasses that explored around that area before all the security was established 🤘

[@DJNitreBlue]

They also know that if SHTF their lives will be over in a flash. This is from the guy that lives in the fallout plume of Whiteman, the darkest red part lol.

[@kennethvenezia4400]

I have an old Titan 2 in my garage, and my cat can't wait to use it. I often find him trying to figure out the launch codes, but so far no success. He is hell bent on putting an end to the human species. I really do have to keep a better eye on him😾

[@pootyting3311]

Silly kitty... 🐈

[@kurtanderson1701]

As an old old pipefitter I worked about one year of my apprenticeship working on silos in arizona

[@NAFO_MythicPlague]

Used to tour the MM2 and MM3 as a security consultant and as a student at one point. I was always glad that we had these at the ready and those that had to be the keyholders are always vigilant.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:55 - Chapter 1 - History 6:00 - Chapter 2 - Capabilities 10:00 - Chapter 3 - The (lack of) future

[@zyro8623]

13:37 The missile knows where it is.

[@MissilemanIII]

Because it knows where it isn't.

[@chrstfer2452]

So it subtracts where it isnt from where it is

[@ericfletcher9442]

I came looking for this comment. I'm so glad I wasn't alone!

[@wiadroman]

rocket: I know where I am, I am in a silo!

[@tonbopro]

so they prayed

[@jackdub7740]

Near as dammit will now forever be in my lexicon. Thanks Simon

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Crazy....my wife and I just got back from visiting Minuteman National Historic monument out in South Dakota. Excellent visitor center and you can see the Delta 1 launch control facility and a delta 9 silo with a view of a Minuteman Missile ( replica) you can see from plexiglass viewing windows where the silo cover would have been. Totally worth visiting near Wall South Dakota ( Wall Drug store) and Ellesworth Air Force base musuem with a B-29 and a B-1b on display ( among others)

[@pootyting3311]

Yes, the Ellsworth museum and the Minuteman Missile Nat. Historic Site are both interesting. A visit in 2016 to both, their tours were quite fascinating. One thing I unfortunately missed on a road trip since we had to make it quickly back home... The Strategic Air Command museum in Omaha, NE.

[@raulduke6105]

My pops last project as an Air Force engineer was the minuteman projects

[@lukekowa]

SIMON!!! What the heck happened to your production quality/editing????? These jump cuts mid sentence are PAINFUL!

[@markstevenson6635]

A trillion here, a trillion there....pretty soon you're talking about real money. 🤑

[@inmyimage1081]

The Titan II did not end it’s service in 1962, that is when it was first put into service.

[@josh3866]

1:29 "entered service in 1962"

[@inmyimage1081]

@@josh3866 Thx, relistened and misheard “entered” as “ended”

[@j.a.weishaupt1748]

*its

[@tigertiger1699]

I haven’t stopped all day.., now finally 2 hrs after getting home

[@g.o2092]

You always have the most interesting topics, good sir. Thank you for all you do 🙏 I don't even know how you're able to manage so many channels. Do you memorize all the scripts? It it all spontaneous based on the a general bulletpoint outline? Just... how? I'm mind-blown Thank you again

[@tannerdowney2802]

Always loved that they placed the silos in the most desolate parts of the continental US. Right next to the Canadian border.

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Closer to Russia over the north pole...... but you can forget about having wheat for wonderbread if they ever actually targeted those missile fields......

[@AcuraLvR82]

Most Minuteman 3's were original Minuteman 1's but upgraded over the years. At the end of the ten year cycle, a team of security and a truck with a massive hydraulic bed would pluck them out the ground like a giant carrot. Then they were taken back to be maintained and upgraded and eventually put back on active duty in the silos. And the reason why its been around so long is because it is a very reliable system that can also respond to a threat very quickly.

[@steveh-m665]

It's time for the amazing Simon to narrate "Back in Black"! 🤘🏼

[@IrishRonin]

"I see the radar tonight is picking up a line of thunder showers along a line from 9 miles S-SE of Chester, PA to 8 miles N-NE of Sparta, NJ. However the radar is also picking up a squadron of Russian ICBM's...so I wouldn't sweat the thunder showers." - George Carlin as Al Sleet the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, 1966

[@TomFarrell-p9z]

Minot rhymes with "why not"

[@davidcrook4814]

I grew up in the middle of the Whiteman AFB cluster of MMs in Missouri. We could see one of the silos from the nearby highway any time we drove by.

[@loyalistmundicomedentisdux9538]

The Minuteman, America's silent unfired deterrent. Almost sad to hear about them retiring. An enduring Cold War Guardian.

[@jimmccauley9099]

Doomsday Clock. You did one 3 years ago. I think it's at 90 seconds now. How about an updated episode detailing its story?

[@jgman2645]

pretty sure he has done one.

[@preisschild4622]

The doomsday clock is just based on the authors feelings. It isnt based on reality.

[@jimmccauley9099]

@@jgman2645 Thank you. Took a few minutes to search through Simon's vast library. It's 3 years old now.

[@jgman2645]

@@jimmccauley9099 oh i see you said updated. My bad.

[@jimmccauley9099]

@@jgman2645 No, l edited (?) it after l read your comment. Thanks again.

[@davidblack1639]

Simon is the voice of KZbin

[@Bramon83]

of generic youtube mass upload crap maybe.... they dont even bother checking their info

[@adamedward3677]

Keep up the good work, thankyou.

[@tb3604]

I did security for these when I was in the Air Force. In minot. It’s a unique job with even more unique weather conditions. Aka. Minot in the wi tee is cold and it sucks 😊

[@wlam205]

Was wondering when we'd get around to these 😅 lets go!

[@chrisbelliston1042]

yall need to do a vid on the saab gripen

[@Plaprad]

Pretty sure he did. I recall a few videos on Saab aircraft.

[@chrisbelliston1042]

@Plaprad he did videos on other saab aircraft but not the gripen

[@NathanDean79]

The United States invented solid fuel for use ICBMs. The Tychol chemical company invented it. There have been 3 iterations of the Minuteman. All solid fueled. The minuteman 1 and 2 had single warheads that’s why we had 1200 of them. The minuteman 3 is the newest and has 3 warheads. And then from 1986-2005 we had the LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM. Now this missile was bad ass. We only had I think 70 of them but each one could carry 12 warheads plus decoys. In my opinion I would have retired the MM3 and built about 150 peacekeepers and still be using them. But they were much more expensive to keep up. The MM3 is still a good system and has been kept up and new guidance systems put on it. When it came out it had a CEP of 660 feet. Meaning you could draw a circle 600 feet wide and the warhead would land or detonate somewhere in that circle. That was enough to destroy any target. Now the CEP is I think 130 feet so much more accurate. And the MM3 has a maximum range of 8700 miles. They are tested to that distance but when they test one now it’s to about 6800 miles which practicly speaking is all it would Need to travel but can travel Up to 8700 miles. The peacekeepers were the same 8700 miles.

[@davyaldy76]

The US is treaty bound to have MIRVs on only one delivery system. They decided to do so on the Trident SLBMs as a potentially more survivable launch platform.

[@lewismantle3887]

13:35 The missile knows where it is at all times. It knows this because it knows where it isn't. By subtracting where it is from where it isn't, or where it isn't from where it is (whichever is greater), it obtains a difference, or deviation. The guidance subsystem uses deviations to generate corrective commands to drive the missile from a position where it is to a position where it isn't, and arriving at a position where it wasn't, it now is. Consequently, the position where it is, is now the position that it wasn't, and it follows that the position that it was, is now the position that it isn't. In the event that the position that it is in is not the position that it wasn't, the system has acquired a variation, the variation being the difference between where the missile is, and where it wasn't. If variation is considered to be a significant factor, it too may be corrected by the GEA. However, the missile must also know where it was. The missile guidance computer scenario works as follows: Because a variation has modified some of the information the missile has obtained, it is not sure just where it is. However, it is sure where it isn't, within reason, and it knows where it was. It now subtracts where it should be from where it wasn't, or vice-versa, and by differentiating this from the algebraic sum of where it shouldn't be, and where it was, it is able to obtain the deviation and its variation, which is called error.

[@JonMartinYXD]

0:12 The Minuteman III fleet is _not_ ready to take flight at a moment's notice. Right now, for reasons of détente and fears of malfunction leading to an accidental launch, all Minutemans are targeted at an empty area of the south Pacific ocean. Retargeting them takes long enough that should the US detect a potential incoming attack, the president would have only minutes to deliberate before the launch order must be given to the Minuteman fleet, since the silos will be among the first things an enemy will target. This is extremely dangerous. It is also why the silos are sometimes darkly referred to as "the nuclear sponge": they exist solely to soak up a large portion of the warheads from the enemy's opening salvo. There is a very good argument to be made that silo-based ICBMs - or even all land-based ICBMs - should be done away with.

[@Umski]

“Posture review” - pretty much sums it up 😳😂

[@WcSuka]

The titan 2's were prefueled. Google Titian 2 rocket explosion in Damascus, Arkansas. Some poor guys dropped a socket down the silo rupturing the rocket causing an explosion blowing the warhead up and off into a local field.

[@heyarno]

I'm amazed. Simon reads it, so it sounds as if he genuinely knows what he is talking about.

[@john-carl2054]

The truth is that it’s been me. I am minute man.

[@perniciouspete4986]

And your wife/girlfriend is very unhappy about that.

[@john-carl2054]

@@perniciouspete4986 it’s true… I am almost 70 years older than anyone thinks. But, to quote the words of a wise narrator. “the missile knows where it is because it knows where it used to be”

[@ytgytgy]

i am pig man

[@john-carl2054]

@@ytgytgy half pig half man or half man half pig?

[@timsplanet2]

I am hippo man

[@nicholasmaude6906]

The Titan II didn't needed to be tanked before launched as it used storable hyperbolic propellants, it was the LGM-25A Titan I that had to be tanked before launch (It used LOX and RP-1). The hypergolic propellants (Nitrogen Tetroxide and Aerozine 50) are liquid at room temperature while LOX is a cryogenic propellant, please get your facts right.

[@RAS_Squints]

Ha ironicly I just got a notice from Ground News saying the Sentinel program is estimated to be 81% over budget

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Big controversy....they can't agree on its pronouns

[@LandNfan]

Correction regarding the LGM-25C Titan II. Unlike the Atlas and Titan I which used cryogenic propellants, the Titan II used hypergolic propellants stored at ambient temperatures. Thus it was always fueled and ready to launch. Time from when a launch order was confirmed from the code books to missile away was under one minute. Titan II’s drawback was the toxic and corrosive nature of both the fuel and oxidizer. Minuteman solved that by using solid fuel.

[@Faithful_Solaire]

Simons writer recently learned “near as damnit” and really likes it

[@dmac7128]

Considering the locations of the silos, I wonder how life was like for the missileers and their associated security and maintenance personnel. From what I have seen, missile crews spend 24 hours in a launch control center and rotate with other crews. Are there duty sections like there are for US Navy ships in port? Plus these sites are in the middle of nowhere, so the isolation could get to people. If you watch the film 'First Strike' you can catch glimpses on how they operate.

[@inmyimage1081]

My father spent most of his career commanding Titan II teams. Silos are technically in the middle of nowhere but they aren’t in reality very far from a major city with a major air base. I actually got to spend some time in the command bunker before the AF banned family members visiting and I can say that they definitely weren’t like being in an office building but never struck me as being overly cramped. Missileers were a pretty heavily monitored bunch from a mental health perspective and they took their jobs extremely seriously so if anyone ever showed any signs of stress they would have been pulled really quickly. Don’t know what the attitude was/is on Navy vessels but if someone didn’t want to be in a silo, they weren’t going to be in a silo.

[@Raika63]

50 years feels like a longer time than it was before for something to remain relevant, but given how long some of our aircraft have remained in operation I shouldn't be that surprised.

[@arthas640]

Plus military tech _really_ stalled for awhile. Most militaries, even in the US were declining in the late 80s and seriously dried up across the 90s with many countries cutting 50% or more of their budget as compared to GDP. 4% of gdp or more used to be fairly common in the 70s but by the 90s many countries struggled to even spend 2%. Then in the 2000s fighting near peer enemies was globally thought to be unlikely so things like nukes were largely ignored. 40 years sounds like a long time but for things like fighter jets and nukes (almost exclusively thought to be used for near peer enemies) 20 of those years basically didn't exist.

[@evelyntodd9946]

Simon a vacation suggestion. A stay in retired and revamped Minuteman missile silo. There is one in Kansas. I'm told it's amazing. I get problems going below ground. So I can only pass on what I hear. Maybe one of the writers would like it.

[@msticks3672]

Titan I needed to be fueled before launch. Titan II was stored in it's silo fueled and ready to go.

[@DJNitreBlue]

And if ya gave it a dirty look it was likely to explode in your face lol.

[@cindygr8ce]

My father worked with Pershing II missiles which actually dictated where i was born.....I was born at the end of 1983 in Germany. It was literally the year they were deployed across Germany pointed at the USSR. It was a variable yield nuclear missile

[@strikercwl]

Whatever numbers you get out of the US military in regards to capabilities just assume that is a low ball park figure. Where Russia almost always exaggerates their capabilities for bragging rights, the US is fairly methodical about setting operational thresholds for safety reasons as well as the added bonus of having a little something extra up their sleeve when they need it. It's safe to assume most of our inventory is more effective than advertised, and the people that use that equipment know they can push it further if they need to.

[@RahimLadhajuma]

Absolutely love the content 👌🏼🧠

[@erasmuus]

Damnit!

[@windowboy]

12:25 absolutely well said

[@Spider1V]

Actually America does 'sweat' their military equipment, quite well; The Abrahams Tank, Iowa Battleship, The 'B52 BUF', M2 Browning .50cal, so the minuteman just joins the list.

[@jerichofalls8236]

My dad worked on nuclear warheads when he was in the air force. We lived in Minot ND for a while

[@bigal2876]

Yay!! I got to shove snow off the top of ten sites for flood control!!

[@BilTheGalacticHero]

The mangling of words, terminologies and technologies is this video is pretty stunning. There are too many to address so I'm just going to give up now and go watch something else.

[@jimp8400]

Thank you

[@IANF126]

god when simon was talking about the minuteman guidance i felt like i was hearing the missile guidance system copypasta

[@shadesofgold24]

You see Nuclear Missile coming, I See BM

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

Ouch!

[@alexandercorey850]

Nice poop joke ❤

[@perniciouspete4986]

Yeah, when that happens, first you say it, then you do it.

[@bushmanPMRR]

"We've improved the accuracy from 1000 metres to 240 metres!" (for a weapon designed to wipe out entire cities. LOL)

[@Boyracer2983]

SIMON!! 6:50 onwards, you made a sound just like Rick from rick and morty, his burp! Are you getting that old? ❤❤✌✌❤❤😂😂

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota preserves a Launch Control Facility (D-01) and a launch facility (D-09) under the control of the National Park Service. The North Dakota State Historical Society maintains the Ronald Reagan Minutemen Missile Site, preserving a Missile Alert Facility, Launch Control Center and Launch Facility in the WS-133B "Deuce" configuration, near Cooperstown, North Dakota.

[@turgeon1235]

I got an ad for a watch. The irony

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I was a Missile Launch Officer and Instructor for the Minuteman II and Ground Launch Cruise Missile (nuclear armed). Both of these systems are now long gone as are most of the Launch Officers. I did a video "Why I thought I might have started WWIII ". While the systems were reliable there were still issues see link below. I'm not too sure the newer systems will be more reliable and/or secure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2TIiJ9_hcyVY7M

[@jordanmason1390]

Do a video on the trident missile

[@Shannon-Smith]

Simon, I have always thought of you as the minuteman of youtube content. Actually, I really haven't - you are the tangentman.....

[@vendettaAOF]

We have a deactivated minutman I at a park in my home town.

[@Thisandthat8908]

It's amaing that rocket engines haven't really changed that much.from the first ones to now. Some of the best and long lasting are still from the 60's.

[@sydclark5581]

Just create a Minuteman 4 The dimensions are easy and set (due to silo copacity). Make they new rockets plug and play and move on. The infrastructure is where the real cost is. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE

[@robertgarrett5009]

The Sentinal is already in silos, and from what i hear they will completly replace the mm3 by the end of the decade.

[@Warmachine63]

As someone who sits in a building with these in the other room this is crazy to watch 😂 also there is talks to extend this for substantially longer since the GBSD is having so many set backs.

[@munkeyman6298]

Forgot to touch on the fact that the US does test fires of them, obviously inert, and they had to reduce the number of tests each year due to a dwindling supply of the missiles.

[@kjaubrey4816]

On a side note, you guys should check out the song, Temptation of Adam by Josh Ritter. Great song.

[@catatonicbug7522]

The Sentinel program is currently 80% over the initial budget. And we still haven't engineered the part that goes boom yet.

[@NeedsLessWedge]

Hopefully not designed or built by Boeing

[@GrievousReborn]

I'm going to guess they're called LGM-30 Minuteman because they're ready at a minute's notice

[@DasE30Cuz]

A C130 launched ICBM. Uhhh wut EDIT: SORRY I MEAN A C5. I'm so used to C130s flying over that my disassociated ass just immediately typed that.

[@brothergrimaldus3836]

C-5

[@DasE30Cuz]

@@brothergrimaldus3836 listen to what I mean not what I say!

[@Maelthras]

Being that I live 3.5 miles from the air force base in north dakota that controls the predator drones and has more than a few of these missles, I know that it would be ground zero in any sort of attack.

[@JokubasVas]

1:01 Ah yes, the N1, my favourite soviet missle 9:22 Orbit's not a synonym of space, if it went to orbit it would stay there