The LGM-30 Minuteman is a United States nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). As of 2008, it is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States. It is complemented by the sea-launched Trident missile SLBM and by nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers; see current status of United States nuclear weapons.
The L indicates that the missile is silo-launched; the G indicates that it is designed to attack ground targets; the M indicates that it is a guided missile.
The name Minuteman comes from the Revolutionary Wars Minutemen. It also refers to its quick reaction time; the missile can be launched in about 1 minute. The Air Force planned to keep the missile in service until 2020, but it may be upgraded to stay in service until 2040.
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