KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman has given Lockheed Martin a $106 million contract for next-generation Minuteman III ICBM re-entry field support equipment.
Under the 58-month contract, Lockheed Martin will design, develop, test and deliver two sets of RFSE. Production of an additional 10 RFSE sets for deployment to all operational U.S. Air Force Minuteman III wings will be performed under a follow-on contract.
The RFSE will replace the aging Minuteman III Re-entry System Test Set.
"This contract represents an important modernization effort for the Air Force's Minuteman III re-entry systems," said Les Lyon, director of Air Force Re-entry Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Lockheed Martin is committed to providing the Air Force with the highest quality hardware and systems engineering in support of the operational ICBM force."
The RFSE, which represents a substantial enhancement to the Minuteman III sustainment effort, will be used to support testing and maintenance of all Minuteman III re-entry systems -- both the Mk12A and Mk21 configurations.
The RFSE in conjunction with the recently deployed Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle support equipment will provide a full suite of new support equipment for the Air Force's Minuteman III re-entry systems.
Lockheed Martin completed deliveries of all SERV ground support equipment in April and is continuing to deliver SERV flight hardware. The SERV program enables each Minuteman III missile to carry up to three Mk12A re-entry vehicles or a single Mk21 re-entry vehicle from the decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBM force, ensuring continued reliability and effectiveness.
Lockheed Martin is a principal teammate to Northrop Grumman, the ICBM prime integration contractor for the U.S. Air Force. Lockheed Martin has been the principal designer, manufacturer and sustainer of the Minuteman re-entry systems since the 1960s.
