Ramona Adams
Orbital ATK has landed a U.S. Air Force contract to conduct design and development research on alternatives to the post-boost propulsion systems of its intercontinental ballistic missiles as part of the service branch’s efforts to replace Minuteman III missiles.
The company said Tuesday its defense systems group will focus on studies and demonstrations that work to optimize the effectiveness, reliability and safety of the ICBM’s propulsion system in support of the Air Force Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent program.
The GBSD system is set to replace Minuteman III – which has been in use since the 1960s — by the late 2020s, Orbital ATK noted.
Pat Nolan, Orbital ATK Defense Systems Group vice president and general manager of the missile products division, said the company’s post-boost propulsion technology has supported the U.S. Navy‘s Trident II missiles.
