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(Bloomberg) Upgrading America’s nuclear missile arsenal will likely take longer than expected because of the complexities of pulling 1970s-era ICBMs out of aging silos and testing and installing replacement missiles and technology to run the system for decades to come, according to a congressional audit.
The Air Force faces the complicated challenge of removing a total of about 400 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and their command-and-control electronics at the rate of about 50 per year from silos and support buildings in various states of deterioration, some with water damage, the Government Accountability Office said in a report Thursday.
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Theresa Hitchens on May 06, 2021 at 11:23 AM
As “the only U.S. military Service to be established during the Information Age,” Space Force says it has “the unique opportunity to be ‘born digital’.”
WASHINGTON: Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) is creating a new virtual testing environment to apply digital engineering techniques to space acquisition the first step in implementing the Space Force’s just-released Vision for a Digital Service.
SMC, which is transitioning to the new Space Systems Command, “is responsible for establishing the initial digital engineering ecosystem that we will use for our pathfinder programs,” Maj. Gen. Kim Crider, Space Force chief technology innovation officer, told reporters this morning. “We’re going to stand up an initial capability this year.
Air Force aborts test launch of unarmed Minuteman III nuclear missile 2 hours ago An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operation test at 11:49 p.m. PT Feb. 23, 2021, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Brittany E. N. Murphy/Space Force) The Air Force said Wednesday it called off a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III nuclear missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, after the weapon turned itself off during the final countdown. The intercontinental ballistic missile, fired from an underground silo at the coastal base, “experienced a ground abort prior to launch,” the service said in a release.
“Minot Air Force Base is proud to show Gen. Brown and the congressional delegation the innovation and determination of the Airmen who make our critical operations possible every day,” said Col. Michael Walters, 5th Bomb Wing commander.
Brown serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of all active-duty, guard, reserve and civilian forces serving in the U.S. Air Force.
During his visit, Brown had the opportunity to see how the Airmen of Minot AFB have never stopped their operations during the
COVID-19 pandemic, as well as see how nuclear modernization is a priority for