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Aviation History
1961
1961 - 0015.PDF
FLIGHT, 6 January 1961 13 1ST STAGE ENGINE SKIRT RE-ENTRY VEHICLF TRANSFER AREA RAMP TRANSPORTER ERECTOR AIR TRANSPORTATION TO SITE RAIL TRANSPORTATION TO SITE EMPLACING MISSIU AND 3RD STAGE 13 NE TRANSPORTER STAGE ENGINE ANSPORTER STAGE ENGINE 15 5TAGE ENGINE 16 ffe Transport Publications Ltd. 1961 This diagram emphasizes that, although they are overall programme manager, Boeing are not able to make very much of Minuteman themselves -cerned with the programme is doing a big job to an incrediblytight schedule; but, in contrast to the uncertainty of the develop- ment of its predecessors, it is generally not a groping march for-ward into uncharted regions. The techniques have often been worked out in detail in advance, the morale and confidence ofeveryone involved is unsurpassed and every facet of the pro- gramme seems to shout "this is how a major weapon systemshould be produced." Admittedly things are easier when priorities are high and money is forthcoming, but it is nevertheless worthpondering the fact that this utterly new concept has already - reached the hardware stage, that the first wing (at MalmstromAFB, near Great Falls, Montana; Flight, November 4, page 710) is scheduled to be operational in mid-1962, and that no fewer than600 Minutemen are scheduled to be deployed before the end of 1964. Boeing have kept the world very well informed of the progressof Minuteman through its various test and development phases— and well they might, since no comparable project has advancedwith such rapidity. We reproduce here a selection of photographs giving a graphic indication of work so far accomplished. Picture 1 illustrates a complete first-stage engine being shippedfrom the Ogden, Utah, plant of Thiokol. According to our con- temporary Missiles and Rockets, the stage burns for some 60secand uses "a propellant composed of polybutadiene and acrylic acid fuel, an ammonium perchlorate oxidizer and an aluminium addi-tive to stifle unstable combustion." The propulsive jets issue from four equal nozzles, which are arranged in opposing pairs pivotedabout pitch and yaw axes. The use of swivelling nozzles is claimed to be lighter than the Polaris system of fixed nozzles plusjetevators, and it undoubtedly minimimizes drag. Never before have swivelling nozzles been used on such a scale, and finding thecorrect design, of minimum weight, capable of withstanding the immense gas flow and temperature with utter reliability was thegreatest single propulsion problem—now solved. Cases and '..af-D First-stage engine •~bii transporter. (2) Halo and flame from silo shot. (3) Tethered firing at Edwards AFB. (4) Instrumen- tation at Edwards silo. (5) Dynamic-test missile at Seattle
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