U.S. Readies Minuteman 3 ICBM Replacement Study

The U.S. Air Force is expected to begin in about a month a study of possible replacements for the Minuteman 3 ICBM, Air Force Space Command chief Gen. Lance Lord said yesterday (see GSN, April 16).

The analysis of alternatives will begin once the Defense Department gives formal approval, Lord said, adding that the study should take a year to complete. Its purpose is to examine conventional and nuclear options for a new land-based strategic deterrent, according to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.

The Air Force, which has an arsenal of about 500 Minuteman 3s, wants to field a replacement to the missile by 2018, according to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. Lord said yesterday that the Air Force plans to maintain the Minuteman 3s until about 2020 (Marc Selinger, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, June 25).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.