that's CEP, not ECP. by the way, Minuteman III is a piece of junk.

sorry ECP is the French word for CEP.

Minuteman 3 has been modernised!better than 200m!

Boeing makes minuteman III’s new guidance system. In 2003 it underwent few tests and failed to achieve the target CEP spec set by Minuteman modernization plan. As of today, USAF no longer requires Minuteman to have "near Peacekeeper" type accuracy. I think M51 is much better than Minuteman III in terms of capability, M52 (carrying the new TNO warhead) would be even better. But I don’t understand the rational of developing such system. Money would be better spent on equipping conventional forces.

"But I don’t understand the rational of developing such system. Money would be better spent on equipping conventional forces. " deterrent and flexible response. I don't think that conventional force has the same ultimate power. Such a precise system can anihilate major conventional systems of any power (like airfields, harbors, strategic systems, command post ..).As you hit military target and you keep some missiles to protect your population of massive reprisal, your deterrent power is great even against superpowers! And so you can build your conventional force quietly on your territory if you have to fight oversea or resist blackmail. Imagine China, Russia or USA acting against France: 96 warheads to hit command post and other strategic assets like space base, airfields harbors with their ships, 96 warheads for ennemy industry and still 96 for adverse population if French one targeted and destroyed deliberately.Plus 90 ASMP for tactical theater forces. A second point is to maintain design teams competences in case of evolving international situation in 30 years.

no comparison between the two, you are comparing apple to orange, Minuteman 3 is a land-based ICBM and M51 is a SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile), if you want to compare, a better alternative is Trident II(D5) SLBM, IMHO M51 is inferior, Trident II has longer range, greater payload and better accuracy.

… And its carried in superior SSBN’s.

"Imagine China, Russia or USA acting against France: " I think you're right. France does need a nuclear deterrent against U.S. and its "freedom fries" .

THe Minuteman is extremely precise, so much so it has been thought out with a conventional warhead for use as a form of strategic base for Close Air Support tactics. It is anything but a piece of junk.