@samsonn25 lol, you seem to forget the fact that it reaches a speed of 7km/s first due to all the propulsion (rocket). It impacts way, WAY faster than terminal its velocity.
And the speed of gravity does not exist, gravity does not have speed, it causes acceleration.
The MIRV would be coming in at the speed of gravity (terminal velocity depending on its aerodynamic drag) because it no further propelling motor (engine, rocket)
Think OPSEC. These small bits of information can be put together to reveal a much bigger picture... This is a structure composed of thousands an thousands of bricks, but which brick is responsible for supporting the weight of the building? They all hold that part...
It's just some footage I held on to when I worked with the weapon system while I was in the Air Force. I have several hours of other footage, but editing it down to post on here isn't high on my priority list. Some of it is higher quality, some is lower.
@ABCKorpi thanks a bunch, I really appreciate it-I guess that this is typical for ICBMs, maneuvering or not, and for LRBMs, MRBMs, and SRBMs, howitzers, and Mortars, the impact rates would all be different? If so, would you please tell me what the impact TNT equivalents are for the various RVs/munitions? (I'm writing a novel)
@idiot00 the energy I calculated was per warhead.
For your other questions:
The data on the Minuteman ICBM is quite common for that class of missile. However the exact amount of cinetic energy the RV contains is also influenced by its mass so that might vary quite a bit (I'm thinking of maybe the SS-18 which was huge). But the velocity will be around 3000 to 4000 m/s for all modern systems.
LRBMs and MRBMs will be in the same range because they still enter space.
For SRBMs that thing is different and can not be answered generally. Most of the data I see is wirh maximum speeds around mach 3 so the impact speed might be around mach 1 to mach 2. Since theese warheads have a great span of their weight you will have to calculate the energy for each system individually.
Howitzers have a muzzle velocity of about 800 to 900 m/s so the terminal velocity will be somewhat aroud 250 to 300 m/s but i have no exact data about this.
Mortars start with only about 150 to 200 m/s so the impact velocity will most definitly be below 100 m/s.
So for the energies: The warheads down to the SRBMs are commonly around 400 to 500 kg so a SRBM warhead will have somewhat around a 4 to 15 kg equivalent of TNT.
An 155mm artillery shell only yields about 0.5 kg TNT equivalent by just cinetic energy. So its explosive charge will be much more powerfull. For a mortar the cinetic energy is even less.
I mean you're not supposed to answer the question "isn't that classified?" with a yes or no answer. Otherwise, when you have an real spill and you decline to say "no" you are confirming its classification.
Perhaps you're talking about a 'correct' response for a PR officer. What you're speaking of doesn't exist in any opsec training that I received while working with this very weapon system while in the Air Force.
Either way, the fact that you can see this footage in a million different places divulges the obvious answer as to classification.
Seeing the glowing RVs go through the clouds is absolutely surreal. And yeah, just seeing an impact wouldn't be classified unless there was a big X on the ground and we could see just how close it came to its target. But of course, that would be a pretty dumb thing to do.
The MK12A RV's on the Minuteman III are only 335-350kt(I was an Electro-Mechanical Team Chief on the MMIII ICBM at Minot AFB, ND) - but yes, I agree with your sentiment whole heartedly.
What type of physics package does the Minutemann III carry, a W87 warhead fission/fusion device?? I am not sure what the difference is between this W87 warhead and the one used on the LG-118 peacekeeper.
Negative. W78 is deployed on the LGM-30G. LGM-118A's deployed W87's(MK 21's). W87's from deactivated LGM-118A's are in the works to be redeployed on LGM-30G's.
I have read that the U.S. Minuteman III Fleet has been undergoing several upgrades including new Guidance Systems and as you note W87, MK-21 Warheads from the decommissioned LGM-118A, which I believe are safer the W78. What are your thoughts in terms of how the Upgraded Minuteman III ICBM compares to Russia's Topol M SS-27 ICBM?
Well, other than land based mobile launch capability, I don't see it being much more capable than anything we have. There are claims that it's immune to laser weapons and can make evasive defensive maneuvers, but I suspect liberal embellishment on its' actual capabilities. Honestly, the Minuteman III is hugely capable the way it's been sitting for the last 20 yrs.
@samsonn25 lol, you seem to forget the fact that it reaches a speed of 7km/s first due to all the propulsion (rocket). It impacts way, WAY faster than terminal its velocity.
And the speed of gravity does not exist, gravity does not have speed, it causes acceleration.
phoenix13nl 2 weeks ago
The MIRV would be coming in at the speed of gravity (terminal velocity depending on its aerodynamic drag) because it no further propelling motor (engine, rocket)
samsonn25 1 month ago
What type of shielding do they use to prevent the friction heat from destroying the bomb early on?
fatjohn1408 4 months ago
I actually live on Kwajalein. atm
SACTAP16 10 months ago
Think OPSEC. These small bits of information can be put together to reveal a much bigger picture... This is a structure composed of thousands an thousands of bricks, but which brick is responsible for supporting the weight of the building? They all hold that part...
SACTAP16 10 months ago
SHIT THAT'S ACCURATE!!!!
cobrabase 1 year ago
How fast were the reentry vehicles coming in? BTW nice video! :)
TheRequimen 2 years ago
@TheRequimen up to about 4000 m/s or 2.5 miles per second
ABCKorpi 1 year ago
where did you get the footage? Is there a better quality version ?
proaudiohd 2 years ago
It's just some footage I held on to when I worked with the weapon system while I was in the Air Force. I have several hours of other footage, but editing it down to post on here isn't high on my priority list. Some of it is higher quality, some is lower.
veedub87 2 years ago 2
More MIRV footage would be *amazing*.
SeverEnergia 2 years ago 4
how big of an explosion is the impact of the RV (not the potential nuclear detonation)
idiot00 2 years ago
Your estimation would be as good as mine. I only have the footage to go by. I was never at Kwajalein to see an impact.
veedub87 2 years ago
@idiot00 the energy is roughly that of 700 kg TNT exploding
ABCKorpi 1 year ago
@ABCKorpi thanks a bunch, I really appreciate it-I guess that this is typical for ICBMs, maneuvering or not, and for LRBMs, MRBMs, and SRBMs, howitzers, and Mortars, the impact rates would all be different? If so, would you please tell me what the impact TNT equivalents are for the various RVs/munitions? (I'm writing a novel)
idiot00 1 year ago
@idiot00 the energy I calculated was per warhead.
For your other questions:
The data on the Minuteman ICBM is quite common for that class of missile. However the exact amount of cinetic energy the RV contains is also influenced by its mass so that might vary quite a bit (I'm thinking of maybe the SS-18 which was huge). But the velocity will be around 3000 to 4000 m/s for all modern systems.
LRBMs and MRBMs will be in the same range because they still enter space.
ABCKorpi 1 year ago
For SRBMs that thing is different and can not be answered generally. Most of the data I see is wirh maximum speeds around mach 3 so the impact speed might be around mach 1 to mach 2. Since theese warheads have a great span of their weight you will have to calculate the energy for each system individually.
Howitzers have a muzzle velocity of about 800 to 900 m/s so the terminal velocity will be somewhat aroud 250 to 300 m/s but i have no exact data about this.
ABCKorpi 1 year ago
Mortars start with only about 150 to 200 m/s so the impact velocity will most definitly be below 100 m/s.
So for the energies: The warheads down to the SRBMs are commonly around 400 to 500 kg so a SRBM warhead will have somewhat around a 4 to 15 kg equivalent of TNT.
An 155mm artillery shell only yields about 0.5 kg TNT equivalent by just cinetic energy. So its explosive charge will be much more powerfull. For a mortar the cinetic energy is even less.
I hope that helped :-)
ABCKorpi 1 year ago
@ABCKorpi btw, is that per RV, or for all three together?
idiot00 1 year ago
i would have a heart failure if i looked up and saw like 8 of those things falling
johnayerger13 2 years ago
Nah.. You'd be dead near instantly. Just pray your in the hypo centre.
goddesslush 2 years ago
Beautifully terrifying.
journeystarr 2 years ago
Photon torpedoes.
Weirdo10o4 2 years ago
Although you're not supposed to confirm or deny it.
machalot 2 years ago
Confirm or deny what? This is readily available footage from KMR. It's obviously not classified.
veedub87 2 years ago
I mean you're not supposed to answer the question "isn't that classified?" with a yes or no answer. Otherwise, when you have an real spill and you decline to say "no" you are confirming its classification.
machalot 2 years ago
Perhaps you're talking about a 'correct' response for a PR officer. What you're speaking of doesn't exist in any opsec training that I received while working with this very weapon system while in the Air Force.
Either way, the fact that you can see this footage in a million different places divulges the obvious answer as to classification.
veedub87 2 years ago
Seeing the glowing RVs go through the clouds is absolutely surreal. And yeah, just seeing an impact wouldn't be classified unless there was a big X on the ground and we could see just how close it came to its target. But of course, that would be a pretty dumb thing to do.
Chopstick2U 3 years ago
would be the most terrifying thing ever to see, if you weren't expecting it :p
lepermunna 3 years ago
If you like the RV videos try the documentary post "Minuteman III Missile Launch - California to Kwajalein Atoll" as well
o2bkak 3 years ago
Thanks. It's a good vid. I've participated in a few FOTEshots, as have many of my friends/colleagues. Nostalgia.
veedub87 3 years ago
Just love to thank you for this video.
I'd love to see anymore RV videos if anyone has any, especially of Peacekeeper or Trident tests!
Noubers 4 years ago 4
16,000 mile per hour bullets carrying 25 hiroshimas. that'll ruin your day
vblogrsRLzrs 5 years ago 8
wow!!! how accurate was that
engkngorks 5 years ago
Man that is beutiful. If only they were real 450Kt MIRVS hitting those fucking dune coons.
blastbud 5 years ago
The MK12A RV's on the Minuteman III are only 335-350kt(I was an Electro-Mechanical Team Chief on the MMIII ICBM at Minot AFB, ND) - but yes, I agree with your sentiment whole heartedly.
veedub87 5 years ago
What type of physics package does the Minutemann III carry, a W87 warhead fission/fusion device?? I am not sure what the difference is between this W87 warhead and the one used on the LG-118 peacekeeper.
hcarducci 5 years ago
Negative. W78 is deployed on the LGM-30G. LGM-118A's deployed W87's(MK 21's). W87's from deactivated LGM-118A's are in the works to be redeployed on LGM-30G's.
veedub87 5 years ago
I have read that the U.S. Minuteman III Fleet has been undergoing several upgrades including new Guidance Systems and as you note W87, MK-21 Warheads from the decommissioned LGM-118A, which I believe are safer the W78. What are your thoughts in terms of how the Upgraded Minuteman III ICBM compares to Russia's Topol M SS-27 ICBM?
redranger4 5 years ago
Well, other than land based mobile launch capability, I don't see it being much more capable than anything we have. There are claims that it's immune to laser weapons and can make evasive defensive maneuvers, but I suspect liberal embellishment on its' actual capabilities. Honestly, the Minuteman III is hugely capable the way it's been sitting for the last 20 yrs.
veedub87 5 years ago
The D5 is being upgraded at this moment (D5LE program). Minuteman upgrades are just getting kicked off.
warrenkm 4 years ago
hahahahaha damn right!
Joel2016 5 years ago