Funding for the contract was fully approved at the time of signing, ensuring uninterrupted work on the programme. BAE Systems has been providing engineering and maintenance support for the Minuteman III missiles under a long-term programme since July 2014.
The primary responsibility of BAE Systems specialists is to offer engineering support to maintain a high operational readiness rate for the missiles. Their efforts help ensure that the land-based nuclear deterrent remains functional and effective at all times.
The Minuteman III ICBMs first entered service in 1970 and were designed to carry up to three W62 nuclear warheads, each with a yield of 170 kilotons. A total of approximately 900 units were produced during their initial manufacturing run.
Currently, three U.S. Air Force units are equipped with Minuteman III missiles, stationed at missile bases in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana. Around 450 missiles are deployed in underground silos, serving as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence strategy, as well as being used for testing and training purposes without live warheads.
The Minuteman III is set to be gradually replaced by the LGM-135A Sentinel ICBMs, with deliveries expected to begin towards the end of the current decade. This modernisation effort is part of the broader strategy to maintain a credible and effective nuclear deterrent for the foreseeable future.
