(U) Peacekeeper (PK) Sustainment/Deactivation

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The LGM-118A Peacekeeper missile is America's newest intercontinental ballistic missile.  Its deployment fulfilled a key goal of the strategic modernization program and increased strength and credibility to the ground-based leg of the U.S. strategic triad.   The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile.  

(U)  With the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has begun to revise its strategic policy.  If the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II is ratified the U.S. will eliminate the multiple re-entry vehicle Peacekeeper ICBMs by the year 2005.

Description: (U)
(U) The LGM-118 Peacekeeper is a three-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of delivering 10  Mk21 Multiple Independently retargetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), with greater accuracy than any other ballistic missile.  The Peacekeeper ICBM utilizes a "cold launching" method which utilizes a gas generator to eject the missile from the missile silo to a height of 20 to 30 meters, at which point the first stage solid propellant motor ignites.  This method reduces damage to the silo on launch, facilitating the refurbishment and reuse of the silo.  

(U)  Its three-stage rocket ICBM system consists of three major sections: the boost system, the post-boost vehicle system, and the re-entry system.  The boost system consists of three rocket stages that launch the missile into space. These rocket stages are mounted atop one another and fire successively.  Each of the first three stages exhausts its solid propellant materials through a single movable nozzle that guides the missile along its flight path.  Following the burnout and separation of the boost system's third rocket stage, the post-boost vehicle system, in space, maneuvers the missile as its re-entry vehicles are deployed in sequence.  The post-boost vehicle system is made up of a maneuvering rocket and a guidance and control system.  The vehicle rides atop the boost system, it weighs about 3,000 pounds (1,363 kilograms) and is 4 feet (1.21 meters) long.  The top section of the Peacekeeper is the re-entry system. It consists of the deployment module, up to 10 cone-shaped re-entry vehicles and a protective shroud. The shroud protects the re-entry vehicles during ascent.  It is topped with a nose cap, containing a rocket motor to separate it from the deployment module.  The deployment module provides structural support for the re-entry vehicles and carries the electronics needed to activate and deploy them. The vehicles are covered with material to protect them during re-entry through the atmosphere to their targets and are mechanically attached to the deployment module. The attachments are unlatched by gas pressure from an explosive cartridge broken by small, exploding bolts, which free the re-entry vehicles, allowing them to separate from the deployment module with minimum disturbance. Each deployed re-entry vehicle follows a ballistic path to its target. 

(U)  All 50 Peacekeeper missiles are deployed at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

(U) The START II Treaty which is currently awaiting Russian ratification calls for the elimination of all "heavy" land-based missiles which would lead to the retirement of the Peacekeeper missile.  The Treaty calls for the elimination of these missiles by 2005.

(U)  General Characteristics: 

Primary Function: Intercontinental ballistic missile 
Power Plant: First three stages, solid-propellant; fourth stage, storable liquid
Length: 71 feet (21.8 meters) 
Weight: 195,000 pounds (87,750 kilograms) including re-entry vehicles 
Diameter: 7 feet, 8 inches (2.3 meters) 
Range: Greater than 6,000 miles (5,217 nautical miles) 
Speed: Approximately 15,000 miles per hour at burnout (Mach 20 at sea level) 
Guidance system: Inertial
Warheads: 10 Avco MK 21 re-entry vehicles 
Date Deployed: December 1986 
Unit Cost: $70 million 
Inventory: Active force, 50; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0 

User Impact: (U)
(U) None.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.
	(U) Termination: 01/2003 (2QFY2003).
		(U)  This termination date will only occur if the Russians agree to ratify the START II Treaty.  The termination date could also be renegotiated due to the late entry-into-force of the Treaty.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) CBM with Common Aero-Vehicle, CBM with MNNRV, EMATS-R, ICBM EHF Terminals, ICBM FOT&E, Modified Miniature Rec Terminal

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) ICBM Sustainment, ICBM Sustainment

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) FORCE APPLICATION, National Security Space Road Map.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
03 July 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)