# Payload Launch Vehicle

> suborbital launch vehicle operated as part of the National Missile Defense test program

**Wikidata**: [Q1262897](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1262897)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/payload-launch-vehicle

## Summary  
The **Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV)** is a United‑States sub‑orbital rocket used to launch test payloads—most notably the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle—for the National Missile Defense (NMD) program. Built on the heritage of the LGM‑30F Minuteman II missile, the PLV is operated as part of the Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) test suite and is launched from Meck Island.

## Key Facts  
- **Type:** Sub‑orbital launch vehicle (rocket model) 【launch vehicle class】  
- **Primary Mission:** Launch of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle for NMD testing 【carries_passengers_or_cargo】  
- **Heritage:** Based on the LGM‑30F Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile 【based_on】  
- **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Martin (prime contractor) with Space Vector Corporation as subcontractor 【manufacturer】  
- **Program Integration:** Integral part of the Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) test program 【part_of】  
- **Launch Site:** Primary start point is Meck Island in the Marshall Islands 【start_point】  
- **Aliases:** Often abbreviated as **PLV** 【aliases】  
- **Class Membership:** Classified under the broader “launch vehicle” subclass 【subclass_of】  
- **Image:** ![PLV prototype launch](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/EKV_prototype_launch_(cropped).jpg)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV)?  
**A:** The PLV is a U.S. sub‑orbital rocket that carries test payloads—principally the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle—within the National Missile Defense program’s Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense testing framework.  

### Q: Which missile does the PLV derive from?  
**A:** It is built on the design of the LGM‑30F **Minuteman II** intercontinental ballistic missile, repurposing that proven technology for sub‑orbital test flights.  

### Q: Who builds the PLV?  
**A:** Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor, while Space Vector Corporation provides subcontracted components and services.  

### Q: Where are PLV launches conducted?  
**A:** Launches are conducted from **Meck Island**, a remote test range in the Marshall Islands.  

### Q: What payload does the PLV typically carry?  
**A:** Its primary payload is the **Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV)**, a key element of the United States’ missile‑intercept capability.  

## Why It Matters  
The Payload Launch Vehicle is a critical test platform for the United States’ missile‑defense architecture. By providing a reliable, repeatable means to loft the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle into the upper atmosphere, the PLV enables realistic end‑to‑end assessments of intercept technology, sensor performance, and command‑and‑control algorithms under flight conditions that closely mimic an actual ballistic missile threat. Its heritage from the Minuteman II missile supplies a proven propulsion and guidance baseline, reducing development risk and cost while ensuring high fidelity to operational parameters. The data gathered from PLV flights directly inform upgrades to the Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense system, helping to maintain a credible deterrent against long‑range missile attacks. Consequently, the PLV plays an indispensable role in safeguarding national security and advancing aerospace engineering within the defense sector.  

## Notable For  
- **Heritage Design:** Re‑uses the LGM‑30F Minuteman II missile architecture for sub‑orbital testing.  
- **Key Test Platform:** Sole launch vehicle for the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle in the NMD test program.  
- **Program Integration:** Embedded within the Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) testing framework.  
- **Manufacturing Collaboration:** Jointly produced by Lockheed Martin (prime) and Space Vector Corporation (subcontractor).  
- **Remote Launch Site:** Operates from the isolated Meck Island range, providing a secure environment for high‑risk missile‑defense tests.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- The Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV) is classified as a **rocket model** and a **subclass of launch vehicle**.  
- It is designed for **sub‑orbital** trajectories, meaning it reaches space but does not achieve orbit.  

### Design and Heritage  
- **Based on LGM‑30F Minuteman II:** The PLV inherits propulsion, structural, and guidance components from the Minuteman II ICBM, leveraging a mature, flight‑tested system.  
- **Configuration:** The vehicle incorporates two primary components identified in its class documentation: **SR19** (first in series) and **M57** (second in series).  

### Role in National Missile Defense  
- **Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense (GMD):** The PLV is listed as a **part of** the GMD program, serving as the launch platform for interceptor testing.  
- **Payload:** Its primary cargo is the **Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV)**, which is intended to collide with incoming ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase.  

### Manufacturing and Partnerships  
- **Prime Contractor:** **Lockheed Martin** oversees overall vehicle design, integration, and delivery.  
- **Subcontractor:** **Space Vector Corporation** supplies specialized subsystems and support services.  
- Both companies reference the PLV on their archived product pages, confirming their involvement.  

### Launch Site  
- **Meck Island:** Located in the Marshall Islands, this isolated site provides a secure, controlled environment for high‑risk missile‑defense tests.  
- The island’s geography allows for safe flight corridors over the Pacific Ocean, minimizing risk to populated areas.  

### Operational History (as documented)  
- The PLV has been employed exclusively within the **National Missile Defense test program**, with no public record of orbital or commercial missions.  
- Its usage is tightly coupled to the development and validation cycles of the EKV and associated GMD components.  

### Technical Characteristics (as available)  
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **Vehicle Type** | Sub‑orbital launch vehicle |
| **Based On** | LGM‑30F Minuteman II |
| **Primary Payload** | Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle |
| **Manufacturer(s)** | Lockheed Martin (prime), Space Vector Corporation (subcontractor) |
| **Launch Site** | Meck Island, Marshall Islands |
| **Program Affiliation** | Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) |
| **Aliases** | PLV |

### References  
- Lockheed Martin product page (archived) – details on PLV design and payload.  
- Space Vector Corporation program description (archived) – subcontractor role and vehicle brochure.  
- Ground‑Based Midcourse Defense documentation – PLV’s integration into the missile‑defense test suite.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/PayloadLaunchVehicle/index.html)
2. [Source](http://www.spacevector.com/programs/plv.html)
3. [Source](http://spacevector.com/brochure/plv_brochure.pdf)