Peacekeeper (MX) Missile System

Peacekeeper summary

Development of the Peacekeeper Missile

Re-entry Pictures

The Peacekeeper was going to be deployed on Rail Cars in addition to silos.

Here's the History of Missiles at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming, which hosts Atlas, Minuteman, and Peacekeeper Missiles

Peacekeeper Missile at F.E. Warren AFB

Final Deactivation of the Peacekeeper.

Peacekeeper Missile Locations and Coordinates

The Peacekeeper is a four-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is configured to deliver Mark 21 reentry vehicles to independent targets. The Peacekeeper missile is approximately 71 feet long, 92 inches in diameter, and weighs 195,000 pounds. When placed inside the LF, the top of the missile is several feet below the launcher door. The missile rests on a missile air elevator surrounded by a canister and would be ejected from the LF by high-pressure steam before the solid rocket motor in Stage I fires.

The first three stages are fueled by solid propellants carried in Kevlar/epoxy cases, and the fourth stage is an aluminum structure housing the guidance and control system and thrust vector control components. The liquid fuel components for the fourth stage are monomethyl hydrazine, nitrogen tetroxide, freon, and helium.

Map of Peacekeeper Deployment Area
Figure 1: Map of Peacekeeper Deployment Area Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement

An Launch Facility (LF) consists of a launcher and an associated launch facility support building (LFSB). All facilities are enclosed within a security fence. The sites average about 1.6 acres in size. Figure 2 shows a schematic of a typical Peacekeeper LF. The interior of the LF is approximately 90 feet deep, with the top 28 feet comprising the headworks. Including concrete and steel, the headworks is approximately 25 feet wide and 33 feet deep. The launch tube is 12 feet in diameter below the headworks.

Diagram of Peacekeeper Missile Launch Facility
Figure 2: Diagram of Peacekeeper Missile Launch Facility Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement

A Missile Alert Facility (MAF) is located within a fenced area averaging about 5.5 acres. All facilities are enclosed by a security fence, except for a helicopter pad and a buried antenna consisting of two intersecting rings (each about four feet in diameter) buried four feet below surface. The sewage lagoon is enclosed by a separate fence. Figure 3 shows the layout of a typical MAF. Top-side structures include a launch control support building (LCSB) and a detached garage. Subsurface structures include a launch control center (LCC) and a launch control equipment building (LCEB).

Diagram of Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facility
Figure 3: Diagram of Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facility Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement

Vehicles used in the process include an emplacer, Type II transporter, Rambo (a support truck used for carrying equipment, personnel, and the MGCS), and an air compressor truck, as well as security vehicles. Multiple vehicles of the same type may be at the LF simultaneously

Peacekeeper Missile AEST Vehicle
Photo 1: Peacekeeper Missile AEST Vehicle Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement
Peacekeeper Missile Emplacer Vehicle
Photo 2: Peacekeeper Missile Emplacer Vehicle Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement
Peacekeeper Missile Rambo Vehicle
Photo 3: Peacekeeper Missile Rambo Vehicle Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement
Peacekeeper Missile Type II Vehicle
Photo 4: Peacekeeper Missile Type II Vehicle Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement
Peacekeeper Missile Launch Facility Site
Photo 5: Peacekeeper Missile Launch Facility Site Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement
Peacekeeper Missile U-02 Set Up
Photo 6: Peacekeeper Missile U-02 Set Up Source: Environmental Impact Statement Peacekeeper Missile System Deactivation and Dismantlement