ICBM FUZE Support

The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Fuze Modernization Program has designed and currently producing a functionally equivalent replacement for the current Mk21 fuze that will provide a 20-year threshold, 30-year objective design life. Currently available Mk21/W87-0 fuze quantities do not meet United States Strategic Command's (USSTRATCOM) requirements and the current fuze is three times beyond its original ten year design life. The program will provide needed Minuteman III (MMIII) weapon system modifications, system testing, support/test equipment, data and training required to accommodate, field, and support the new Mk21 replacement fuze along with the W87-0 warhead as defined in the Air Force Global Strike Command's (AFGSC) Requirements Traceability Memo dated 2 December 2013. In addition, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) signed the program's JROC Memorandum validating the operational requirement for the program on 6 December 2016. A replacement Mk21/W87-0 fuze is urgently required to meet warfighter requirements and to ensure operational capability. The Mk21 reentry vehicle and fuze is designed to be deployed on the current MMIII and LGM-35A Sentinel weapon systems. The US Air Force (USAF) developed the modernized Mk21 fuze using the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex and a weapons system integration contractor. The DOE/NNSA complex consists of SNL-DA, SNL-PA and KCNSC. The ICBM Fuze Modernization program leveraged technologies, parts, components, and development/production capabilities resulting from extensive fuze work performed by the US Navy (USN) and DOE/NNSA on the Mk5/W88 Alt 370 Fuze program. The Radar Module is the only common Major Component with Mk5/W88 Alt 370. The Pathlength Module (PLM), Thermal Battery Assembly (TBA), Missile Interface Controller Module (MICM), Launch Safety Device (LSD), Terminal Protection Device (TPD), and the Firing Set Interface Module (FSIM) share piece parts with the Mk5/W88 Alt 370 Firing Set, but are specific to the Mk21 Fuze. The ICBM Fuze Modernization Program replacement fuze is designed to integrate into the MMIII and the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon systems, to include support/ test equipment, data, flight test hardware, and training materials. The program conducted required system testing (including ground and flight tests).