U.S. Air Force issued an request for proposals (RFP) for development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system under the Gr...
U.S. Air Force issued an request for proposals (RFP) for development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system under the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program to replace the aging LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBM system.
Projected to be deployed in late 2020s, the new ICBM system will be adaptable and affordable to meet changing technology and threat environments through 2075.
Air Force plans to award up to two contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 for development of the integrated weapon system, including launch, command and control segments.
The launch systems and weapon system command and control physical infrastructure being used for Minuteman III today first became operational with the Minuteman I ICBM system in the mid-1960s.
While certain components and subsystems have been upgraded over the years, including a transition to Minuteman III configuration in the 1970s, most of the fundamental infrastructure in use today is original and has supported more than 50 years of continuous operation.
The Minuteman III flight systems in use today were fielded in the late 1990s and early 2000s with an intended 20-year lifespan. USAF says the current Minuteman III system will face increased operational and sustainment challenges until it can be replaced.
"The Minuteman III will have a difficult time surviving in the active anti-access, area denial environment that we will be dealing with in the 2030 and beyond time period," Gen. Robin Rand, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, told the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee in March 2016.
The new missile will also have ranges in excess of 6000 miles like the Minuteman III.
As of October 2015, USAF had 450 Minuteman III missiles in arsenal, operated from three missile bases.
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| An unarmed Minuteman III ICBM test launch on 20, Feb 2016. |
Air Force plans to award up to two contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 for development of the integrated weapon system, including launch, command and control segments.
The launch systems and weapon system command and control physical infrastructure being used for Minuteman III today first became operational with the Minuteman I ICBM system in the mid-1960s.
While certain components and subsystems have been upgraded over the years, including a transition to Minuteman III configuration in the 1970s, most of the fundamental infrastructure in use today is original and has supported more than 50 years of continuous operation.
The Minuteman III flight systems in use today were fielded in the late 1990s and early 2000s with an intended 20-year lifespan. USAF says the current Minuteman III system will face increased operational and sustainment challenges until it can be replaced.
"The Minuteman III will have a difficult time surviving in the active anti-access, area denial environment that we will be dealing with in the 2030 and beyond time period," Gen. Robin Rand, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, told the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee in March 2016.
The new missile will also have ranges in excess of 6000 miles like the Minuteman III.
As of October 2015, USAF had 450 Minuteman III missiles in arsenal, operated from three missile bases.
