Posted on 05/06/2021 12:23:14 PM PDT by Red Badger
NOT when I used to work on them 25+ years ago. AMERICAN MADE— down to every last chip, transistor, resistor and capacitor.
There are systems to protect and re-use the launch facility that are unique to Vandenberg and are not part of the weapon system. I was part of the squadron that maintained these test facilities in the late 70's-early 80's. They rely on microswitches sequencing hardware and unique signal cabling to assure openings are sealed or opened as required.
There could be security concerns about unauthorized people near the launch facility. We had peace groups intentionally trying to infiltrate the safety zone and get caught to stop a launch. They would wait until a launch looked probable (the public is advised of a launch window) then light a flare or do something similar to attract attention, They would then hide in the very rugged chapparal in the North Vandenberg area. They had to be apprehended or the area searched to assure they were gone before the launch could proceed.
Then there is the possibility of a maintenance or system failure in the launch support equipment or the missile malfunctioning. But, that is the whole purpose of the launches anyway, to assess the reliability of the Minuteman weapon system. They are called "FOOT Shots" for Fleetwide Operational Test and Evaluation.
You can sleep well with the knowledge that Minuteman is an extremely reliable system and that is why an abort is unusual enough to make the news.
On my car I have to have my foot on the break..................
I used to work for Avco,(now Textron Defense Systems) who made the MK21 reentry vehicle. Launch vehicles are instrumented, and go through a long prelaunch sequence. Tests are quite expensive and any hick ups cause an abort. Nothing to get overly concerned about, unless it becomes a habit.
Ummm there are no Chinese parts in anything military... TAA compliance.
THIS is why they need to be replaced! They've already gone through SLEP - buy some new ones dammit.
Somebody on the ground aborted the launch, probably a bad sensor or something minor................
Woke Math (2+2=5 or whatever you want it to be) is paying big dividends already.
I feel much safer at night knowing that Biden is the CIC of our new “intersucktional” military.
SPACE FORCE
ORANGEMANBADDAZZ
Was just kidding, what with people giving the Chinese our secrets about our military and whatever ....
*Sigh* a bit of humor.
Wouldn’t the brake work better?
It was probably trying to calculate trajectories with lotus 123
We told Putin that we won't build anymore nuclear weapons or delivery systems. Biden is going to abide by Obama's promises, and agree to much worse in this respect. I would be surprised if we had any robust capabilities after his first term (Obama's third).
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