Minuteman: A Technical History of the Missile That Defined American Nuclear Warfare is a detailed history of the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile program, which has served as a powerful component of US nuclear strategies for over half a century. David K. Stumpf examines breakthroughs in solid propellant, lightweight inertial guidance systems and lightweight reentry vehicle development, the construction of over a thousand launch and launch control facilities, and key flight test and operational flight programs, and places the Minuteman program in context with world events.

About the Author
David K. Stumpf is a retired research scientist at the University of Arizona and the author of Titan II: A History of a Cold War Missile Program.

Reviews

"Minuteman is an exceptionally important contribution to the historiography of air power and the strategic triad . . . a most valuable study and a good story, well told." -Roger D. Launius, author of Reaching for the Moon: A Short History of the Space Race

"An important addition to the literature on the history of US strategic missiles, Minuteman will be of interest to libraries, educational institutions, engineers, and historians interested in missiles, nuclear weapons, and the Cold War." -Christopher John Gainor, author of The Bomb and America's Missile Age

"The Minuteman was one of the most important weapons of the nuclear age, and the subject of countless arguments and debates in the White House, the Pentagon, and Congress during the Cold War. David K. Stumpf's comprehensive and engaging history explores all aspects of this weapons system, from its creation and testing to deployment to its partial elimination during arms-control discussions. Even today, buried throughout the American Midwest, hundreds of Minuteman missiles with horrible destructive power sit at the ready, hopefully to never be used." -Dwayne Day, policy analyst and space historian

"From the scientific research that made possible the engineering and development of the Minuteman, to the challenging construction of operational facilities across the central United States, David K. Stumpf narrates this technical history with masterful precision. Every turned page reveals long-neglected or surprisingly new details from now-obscure sources." -Rick W. Sturdevant, deputy director of history, United States Space Force

"Minuteman is a timely and valuable contribution in view of the ongoing deliberations on a decades-long upgrading of Minuteman III." -Leonard H. Caveny, former director of science and technology, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization

"Minuteman is the first comprehensive account of this vitally important strategic missile. All individuals interested in the details of the complex Minuteman development, deployment, and testing history will want to purchase this book. Even those who are extremely knowledgeable about Minuteman can learn a great deal from David K. Stumpf's account." -J. D. Hunley, author of The Development of Propulsion Technology for US Space-Launch Vehicles, 1926-1991

Book Information
ISBN 9781682261545
Author David Stumpf
Format Hardback
Page Count 592
Imprint University of Arkansas Press
Publisher University of Arkansas Press
Weight(grams) 1236g