MGM-134 Midgetman

MGM-134A Midgetman
Test launch of Midgetman
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In serviceprototype only (1991)
Used byUnited States
Production history
DesignerMartin Marietta
Specifications
Mass13,600 kg (30,000 lb)
Length14 m (46 ft)
Diameter1.17 m (3 ft 10 in)
Blast yield
  • W87-1: 475 kt (1,990 TJ)
  • W61: 340 kt (1,400 TJ)

EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Propellantsolid propellant
Operational
range
7,000 miles (11,300 km)[1]
Guidance
system
Inertial, GPS
Accuracy90 m (300 ft) CEP
Launch
platform
Hard Mobile Launcher (HML)
TransportHard Mobile Launcher (HML)

The MGM-134A Midgetman, also known as the Small Intercontinental Ballistic Missile,[2] was an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the United States Air Force. The system was mobile and could be set up rapidly, allowing it to move to a new firing location after learning of an enemy missile launch. To attack the weapon, the enemy would have to blanket the area around its last known location with multiple warheads, using up a large percentage of their force for limited gains and no guarantee that all of the missiles would be destroyed. In such a scenario, the U.S. would retain enough of their forces for a successful counterstrike, thereby maintaining deterrence.

  1. ^ https://nuke.fas.org/cochran/nuc_84000001c_01.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference query.nytimes.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).