Boeing (www.boeing.com) will develop the preliminary design for America’s next intercontinental ballistic missile through a new $349 million US Air Force contract. Boeing and Northrop Grumman each received risk-reduction contracts for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) programme, which will replace the Minuteman III ICBM.

In 2020, the US Air Force will choose one company to develop the new land-based element of America’s nuclear triad (missiles launched from submarines and aircraft are the other elements of the triad).

Frank McCall, Boeing director of strategic deterrence systems and GBSD programme manager, said: “Since the first Minuteman launch in 1961, the US Air Force has relied on our technologies for a safe, secure and reliable ICBM force.

“As the Air Force prepares to replace the Minuteman III, we will once again answer the call by drawing on the best
of Boeing to deliver the capability, flexibility and affordability that the mission requires.”

Boeing’s work will be done in Huntsville (Alabama), Ogden (Utah), Heath (Ohio) and other locations. The Minuteman III replacement effort will include flight, command and control, and launch systems.