Dover Air Force Base in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
LGM-30
Minuteman Missile
The Minuteman is a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). First flown in 1961, over 400 will remain in service until at least 2030. It is the first solid-fuel missile to have a digital flight control computer, a combination which enables a short-notice launch.
On 24 October 1974, a C-5A Galaxy successfully conducted an Air Mobile Feasibility Test when an 86,000-pound ICBM was extracted by parachute from the aircraft flying at 20,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. As soon as the missile stabilized, its rocket engine fired. The 10-second engine burn allowed it to climb 12,000 feet before it dropped into the ocean as planned. Although only done once, it was enough to use as a negotiating point in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).
The C-5A in front of you, 69-0014, on display with this missile-launching trainer, is the aircraft that was flown to conduct those tests.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Science & Medicine • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1974.
Location. 39° 7.022′ N, 75° 27.383′ W. Marker is in Dover,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A-10C (a few steps from this marker); C-45G (a few steps from this marker); C-60 (a few steps from this marker); KC-10A (within shouting distance of this marker); C-5A (within shouting distance of this marker); U-3A (within shouting distance of this marker); C-5 (within shouting distance of this marker); KB-50J (within shouting distance of this marker).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
