UGM-27 Polaris
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The UGM-27 Polaris missile was a two-stage solid-fueled nuclear-armed submarine-launched ballistic missile. As the United States Navy's first SLBM, it served from 1961 to 1980.
Polaris A-3 (A3X-01) on launch pad LC-29A before a test flight at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, 7 August 1962
Polaris A3 upper stage
Polaris A-1, A-2, A-3. Poseidon
Polaris AX-1 on pad CC LC-25A before its maiden flight, September 24, 1958
LGM-30 Minuteman
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The LGM-30 Minuteman is an American land-based intercontinental ballistic missile in service with the Air Force Global Strike Command. As of 2025, the LGM-30G is the only land-based ICBM in service in
UGM-27 Polaris
…the first few years of Polaris, because Transit was not operational until 1964. By 1965 microchips similar to the Texas Instruments units made for the Minuteman II were being purchased by the Navy for the Polaris. The Minuteman guidance systems each required 2000 of these, so the Polaris guidance system may have…
Minuteman II
Minuteman I missile
Autonetics D-17 guidance computer from a Minuteman I missile.
The Polaris SLBM could ostensibly fill the role of the Minuteman, and was perceived as significantly less vulnerable to attack.