Minuteman 3 Silo

06-17-09, 05:05 PM

This is the missile silo from inside the security fence. It is often referred to as the outer zone.

From top left to the right.
The shaft with the hood is part of the air system used by the Launch Facility Equipment Building to supply air for the diesel-electric motor generator. The diesel-electric motor generator exists to support the facility when commercial power is disrupted.

Behind the shaft is a 60 ft light pole used to illuminate the area. Two are pictured.

The small round object which resembles a RADAR dish in front of light pole #2 is just that, a RADAR dish. During the deployment of LGM30B and LGM30F this was the standard four dish emplacement to protect the outer zone. It has been replaced by a single, mono-pole system with LGM30G.

Moving further to the right is the theodolite. A large concrete marker used to measure true north, it was used during the deployment of LGM30B and F. It is no longer used for missile guidance.

The next major feature is the silo door and it’s associated mechanisms. Mainly the tracks and a cogged rail used for non-launch opening. Something called a whole-pusher (a hydraulic jack-screw) is used to slide the 100 ton door aside for insertion/extraction of the missile.

At center picture are the TE Pylons used by the Missile Transporter/Erector

when inserting/extracting the LGM30 missile body. The transverse concrete pads are used by the vehicle used for the transfer of the re-entry vehicle.

Next are the two doors which allow access to the missile. The smaller of the two is known as the A-Circuit, or Pit. Beyond the special tools needed to open the pit a combination is required to gain access to a jack-screw which allows the opening of the primary Personnel Access Hatch (PAH). The combination is only known to the Security Escort Team(SET) which accompanies all MX personnel entering the Launch Facility. The combination lock and the associated combination is also replaced by the SET prior to leaving the LF.

The 42” PAH

weighs in at a whopping five tons, and is opened using a jack screw. Beyond that is what is called the B-Plug.

The B-Plug is a plug which requires additional combination locks (replaced before exiting) to be exercised and large, 4” bolts to be hand cranked from the concrete and steel side walls of the access shaft. Once all the combinations have been inserted and the bolts retracted a signal is sent to the launch control crew, sitting a minimum of four miles away and they start a timer which will lower the B-Plug in about 10 minutes.

You may have noticed the amount of time needed by authorized personnel to gain access to the missile. That is another security point. If it takes the authorized this long those who are un-authorized wouldn’t get far before a Tiger team was all over them.

The square structure center picture is the topside of the Launch Facility Equipment Building. (LFEB). The hatches visible lead to cryogenic, electrical, and telephonic equipment used to maintain the LF.

Now you know .

NeonSamurai · 06-17-09, 06:14 PM

And knowing is half the battle

(sorry couldn't resist

)

Interesting, not sure what else to write

Stealhead · 06-17-09, 06:15 PM

Man I recall back when I signed all my paper work at MEPS and had myself listed as open for all solts in the mechanical fields the AF human resourses guy mentioned this job(relating directly to maintaining) as I had the required scores and asked me if wanted to be listed as a contentious objector I said no but it was a very interesting segue. I did notice that he wore the missile badge/pin on his blues though.

sunvalleyslim · 06-18-09, 01:16 AM

Yeah, but can it dive to 400 ft. and "Run Silent and Run Deep"..............I rest my case......

Raptor1 · 06-18-09, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunvalleyslim

Yeah, but can it dive to 400 ft. and "Run Silent and Run Deep"..............I rest my case......

I find that an awfully useless ability considering it can launch missiles to the other side of the planet from the comfort of it's own hole...

Jimbuna · 06-18-09, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor1

I find that an awfully useless ability considering it can launch missiles to the other side of the planet from the comfort of it's own hole...

Are they electric or steam propelled

I hope there aren't any early detonation problems

Raptor1 · 06-18-09, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Are they electric or steam propelled

I hope there aren't any early detonation problems

I would be more worried about the circle-runners

06-17-09, 05:05 PM	#1
CastleBravo Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Minuteman 3 Silo This is the missile silo from inside the security fence. It is often referred to as the outer zone. From top left to the right. The shaft with the hood is part of the air system used by the Launch Facility Equipment Building to supply air for the diesel-electric motor generator. The diesel-electric motor generator exists to support the facility when commercial power is disrupted. Behind the shaft is a 60 ft light pole used to illuminate the area. Two are pictured. The small round object which resembles a RADAR dish in front of light pole #2 is just that, a RADAR dish. During the deployment of LGM30B and LGM30F this was the standard four dish emplacement to protect the outer zone. It has been replaced by a single, mono-pole system with LGM30G. Moving further to the right is the theodolite. A large concrete marker used to measure true north, it was used during the deployment of LGM30B and F. It is no longer used for missile guidance. The next major feature is the silo door and it’s associated mechanisms. Mainly the tracks and a cogged rail used for non-launch opening. Something called a whole-pusher (a hydraulic jack-screw) is used to slide the 100 ton door aside for insertion/extraction of the missile. At center picture are the TE Pylons used by the Missile Transporter/Erector when inserting/extracting the LGM30 missile body. The transverse concrete pads are used by the vehicle used for the transfer of the re-entry vehicle. Next are the two doors which allow access to the missile. The smaller of the two is known as the A-Circuit, or Pit. Beyond the special tools needed to open the pit a combination is required to gain access to a jack-screw which allows the opening of the primary Personnel Access Hatch (PAH). The combination is only known to the Security Escort Team(SET) which accompanies all MX personnel entering the Launch Facility. The combination lock and the associated combination is also replaced by the SET prior to leaving the LF. The 42” PAH weighs in at a whopping five tons, and is opened using a jack screw. Beyond that is what is called the B-Plug. The B-Plug is a plug which requires additional combination locks (replaced before exiting) to be exercised and large, 4” bolts to be hand cranked from the concrete and steel side walls of the access shaft. Once all the combinations have been inserted and the bolts retracted a signal is sent to the launch control crew, sitting a minimum of four miles away and they start a timer which will lower the B-Plug in about 10 minutes. You may have noticed the amount of time needed by authorized personnel to gain access to the missile. That is another security point. If it takes the authorized this long those who are un-authorized wouldn’t get far before a Tiger team was all over them. The square structure center picture is the topside of the Launch Facility Equipment Building. (LFEB). The hatches visible lead to cryogenic, electrical, and telephonic equipment used to maintain the LF. Now you know .

06-18-09, 01:16 AM	#4
sunvalleyslim Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,142 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Yeah, but can it dive to 400 ft. and "Run Silent and Run Deep"..............I rest my case...... __________________ Crew member/ decommission member TM2(SS)(SD) 3/68-7/70 DIESEL BOATS FOREVER USS SEGUNDO (SS398)

06-17-09, 06:14 PM	#2
NeonSamurai Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Socialist Republic of Kanadia Posts: 3,044 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	And knowing is half the battle (sorry couldn't resist ) Interesting, not sure what else to write __________________ SH3 Newbie Guide Links and other helpfull stuff

06-17-09, 06:15 PM	#3
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Man I recall back when I signed all my paper work at MEPS and had myself listed as open for all solts in the mechanical fields the AF human resourses guy mentioned this job(relating directly to maintaining) as I had the required scores and asked me if wanted to be listed as a contentious objector I said no but it was a very interesting segue. I did notice that he wore the missile badge/pin on his blues though.