
Although it didn’t make it to something more than a test, the mobile ICBM concept saw C-5 carry and drop a Minuteman missile.
In 1974, the U.S. thought that the best way to preserve its ICBMs (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles) from Soviet nuclear strikes was to load them in C-5 Galaxy airlifters and keep them on the move.
A three-stage Minuteman, 56 feet in length and 86,000 pounds in weight, was attached to some parachutes that could drag it out of the cargo hold and then point it upward, then it was loaded into a Galaxy and air launched over the Pacific from the aircraft: a timer ignited the rocket motor and the missile flew for about 25 seconds before it cascaded into the Pacific Ocean.
This video shows the ICBM loaded into the C-5 Galaxy and air launched during the unique test. Cool.
Image credit: U.S. Air Force
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An ICBM figures into a no-win calculus of mutually assured destruction. It is not apposite to what Putin and Russia have done or will do. Rather, what will concern them is what the west did in response to the conventional proxy wars in the satellite, client states. If the west were distributing improved MANPADS and anti-tank missiles on a large scale while providing training, technical assistance, and intelligence, those things would be more harmful to Putin’s ambitions. Similar to Afghanistan in the 1980’s, but happening closer to Russia.
interesting idea. there were tests to roll off of fire icbms from surface ships. also trains and mobile road platforms