Difference between revisions of "UGM-73 Poseidon"
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The Poseidon was developed not so much as a retaliatory weapon against the [[Soviet Union]] but as a weapon to target [[SAM]] sites, radar sites, and enemy bases. This would allow bombers and [[ICBM]]s a clear pathway through. It never completely replaced the Polaris; the Trident did that. | The Poseidon was developed not so much as a retaliatory weapon against the [[Soviet Union]] but as a weapon to target [[SAM]] sites, radar sites, and enemy bases. This would allow bombers and [[ICBM]]s a clear pathway through. It never completely replaced the Polaris; the Trident did that. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Specifications== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <big>UGM-73A Poseidon C3</big> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Type''' | ||
| + | | [[SLBM]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Contractor''' | ||
| + | | [[Lockheed Martin]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Power plant''' | ||
| + | | Two-stage solid-propellant rocket | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Length''' | ||
| + | | 34 feet, 2 inches | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Diameter''' | ||
| + | | 74 inches | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Weight''' | ||
| + | | 64,400 pounds | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |'''Range''' | ||
| + | | 2500 miles | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |'''Warhead''' | ||
| + | |10 or 14 W69 MIRVs with 50 kt yield each | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category: Missiles]] | [[Category: Missiles]] | ||
Revision as of 21:18, August 27, 2008
The UGM-73 Poseidon is a United States submarine-based intermediate-range two-stage missile with a nuclear warhead. It was the second of the United States submarine-based nuclear weapons delivery systems, replacing the UGM-27 Polaris. It had the same range as the Polaris, but was more accurate. It was replaced by the Trident I in 1979.
Development
The Poseidon was developed not so much as a retaliatory weapon against the Soviet Union but as a weapon to target SAM sites, radar sites, and enemy bases. This would allow bombers and ICBMs a clear pathway through. It never completely replaced the Polaris; the Trident did that.
Specifications
UGM-73A Poseidon C3
| Type | SLBM |
| Contractor | Lockheed Martin |
| Power plant | Two-stage solid-propellant rocket |
| Length | 34 feet, 2 inches |
| Diameter | 74 inches |
| Weight | 64,400 pounds |
| Range | 2500 miles |
| Warhead | 10 or 14 W69 MIRVs with 50 kt yield each |