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First Deployment Of Minuteman III Carrying MK21 Reentry Vehicle
Clearfield UT (SPX) Jan 09, 2007 The U.S. Air Force, and its industry partner Northrop Grumman, marked the initial deployment of the first Minuteman III carrying the MK21 reentry vehicle during a ceremony at the end of 2006 at Hill Air Force Base. Under the Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle (SERV) program, Northrop Grumman adapted hardware and electronic equipment on the Minuteman III to accommodate the MK21 reentry vehicle, recently decommissioned from the Peacekeeper force. In addition, a major revision of the MM III software programs was required. The first SERV-modified missile is deployed and on alert at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyo. "This is a major program achievement that marks the deployment of the safest, most reliable reentry vehicle in the ICBM force," said John Clay, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman ICBM Prime Integration Contract. "The SERV program has been a technically challenging effort, and I congratulate our extremely talented team for making this effort such a huge success and delivering to the warfighter a safe and secure system." The SERV program is a vital ICBM modernization effort that will ensure continued reliability and effectiveness of the weapon system through 2020. Lockheed Martin and Boeing are principal teammates on this program. In February of 2006, the SERV program completed its third successful flight test, which paved the way for full rate production in March, followed by activation in October. In support of the initial SERV operational deployment, the program also completed the deployment of software revisions at all three missile Wings and delivered the first hardware sets in August 2006. The entire force of 500 Minuteman III missiles is slated to be upgraded with the SERV modifications by 2012. SERV is one of eight large programs managed by Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector as part of the company's 15-year prime integrating contract with the U.S. Air Force to modernize and sustain the nation's Minuteman III land-based strategic arsenal. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Md., developed the electronic and mechanical hardware that interfaces the reentry vehicle with the rest of the Minuteman III missile. Lockheed Martin's Valley Forge, Pa., facility produces the electrical and mechanical hardware, support equipment and associated logistics support. Related Links Northrop Grumman Boeing Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Northrop Grumman ICBM Propulsion System Rocket Engine Life Extension Program
Clearfield UT (SPX) Jan 08, 2007The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract for 22 months to continue the full-rate production phase of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Propulsion System Rocket Engine (PSRE) Life Extension Program (LEP). The PSRE is the fourth and final stage rocket engine on the Minuteman III missile. This LEP effort involves refurbishing and replacing aged flight hardware and ordnance in this stage to maintain alert-readiness of the missiles. |
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