June 24, 2014

Air Force Analysis of Follow-On ICBM Alternatives Complete

By ExchangeMonitor

The Air Force is set to begin briefing leadership on the results of its analysis of alternatives for replacing the current fleet of Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missiles, Global Strike Command chief Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson said yesterday. The analysis covers a variety of options for the new “Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent” starting in about 2030, considering a “phased approach for being able to do that,” Wilson said. “Everything from the solid rocket motors, to the guidance, to the warhead down the line.” Speaking at the Air Force Association, Wilson said the analysis is “just now completing” and that it was being briefed for Air Force leadership, with an expectation that a final decision could be made by the end of the summer.

Earlier this year, a RAND study concluded that incrementally modernizing and sustaining the current Minuteman 3 missile system would be a much cheaper option than an all-new ICBM system, which it said could cost two to three times as much. “Cost is a really big part of this as we move forward,” Wilson acknowledged. “We had to look at a multitude of options, with cost being one of the big drivers. You bring forward an analysis of alternatives; do we use existing infrastructure, to a variety of options. Now we’ll bring that inside the building and we’ll take it to the next stage in the acquisition program but in every step of the way cost and not only cost, but the long term cost, have to factor into this.”

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