ICBM fuze mod program has new schedule, final design review delayed

摘要

The Air Force has come up with a new schedule for the intercontinental ballistic missile fuze modernization program that delays the final design review by several months but will not affect operational requirements for Minuteman Ⅲ, according to an Air Force spokeswoman. The final design review, originally expected to occur in December 2019, will now take place eight months later in August 2020, Leah Bryant said in a Dec. 13 email. She added that low-rate initial production remains on track for fiscal year 2022 and full-rate production for FY-23. The new fuze will support the W87 warhead's Mk 21 reentry vehicle and will have a 30-year service life to meet the requirements of both the legacy Minuteman Ⅲ and next-generation Ground Based Strategic Deterrent systems. Testing issues with capacitor components at the National Nuclear Security Administration caused the program to reexamine its baseline, Inside Defense reported in October. The program had previously been following the initial baseline the Pentagon approved in September 2014.