What are ICBM silos?

A missile launch facility, also known as an underground missile silo, launch facility (LF), or nuclear silo, is a vertical cylindrical structure constructed underground, for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Are missile silos real?

Missile silos are scattered across such vast expanses so that potential adversaries would have to target each missile individually. For instance, the missile field of F. E. Warren Air Force Base includes portions of western Nebraska, northern Colorado, and eastern Wyoming, an area of more than 12,000 square miles.

How much does a missile cost?

Originally reported by The Economist, guided missiles technology is one of the most expensive sectors in smart weaponry. A single medium to long-range subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile costs roughly $1.5 million, and 50kg air-to-ground Hellfire rockets cost an eye-watering $115,000 each.

How much does a old missile silo cost?

2 Cold War-era nuclear missile silos that sat abandoned for decades went on sale in Arizona for $495,000 each. One just sold for more than asking price, while the other took a $20,000 price cut. Two decommissioned missile silos were for sale in southern Arizona, and one sold for $500,000.

How much is it to build a missile silo?

The F series of Atlas missile silo complexes were the last type of Atlas ICBM bases to be built. The construction cost of just the basic concrete underground structures was approximately $15 million dollars each (in 1960 dollars). Today’s current value of the construction cost would be over $120,000,000.

How much does a missile silo cost to build?

These are some of the most hardened structures man has ever built. Construction costs (structure only) range from $14-18 million in 1960’s dollars; in today’s equivalent, that is at least $100 Million dollars! The missile silo is a huge structure with a 52′ inside diameter and is approximately 180′ deep.