ICBM Fuze Modernization

Abstract

The ICBM Fuze program replaces the Mk21 (W87) fuze. The Mk21 replacement project scope includes the design and development of a form, fit, function replacement fuze associated with the legacy W87 warhead. The legacy Mk21 fuze is three times past its design life and ongoing Mk21 refurbishment does not meet Nuclear Weapon Stockpile Plan requirements. The United States Air Force (USAF) will develop the Mk21 fuze in cooperation with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), US Navy (USN) and United Kingdom. The ICBM Fuze program will leverage technologies, parts, components and development/production capabilities resulting from extensive fuze work performed by the USN and NNSA. The ICBM Fuze program will also develop associated Minuteman III weapon system modifications, support equipment, data, flight test hardware, and training. It will also conduct required system testing (including ground and flight tests) and fielding efforts. The program coordinates USAF Mk21 Fuze replacement development efforts to synchronize USAF arming and fuzing and Department of Energy (DOE) warhead requirements. When prudent, the ICBM Fuze Modernization program will conduct trade studies and initiate conceptual designs to address operational system issues and meet future requirements. As a cooperative USAF, USN and NNSA weapon sustainment acquisition, the USAF will implement joint Department of Defense (DoD)-DOE Nuclear Weapons Life Cycle Activities. The ICBM Fuze Modernization program will be tailored to use joint DoD-DOE phase 6.X processes for routine nuclear stockpile activities to align with USN and NNSA operations. In FY15, the ICBM Fuze Modernization program was rebaselined due to fiscal constraints. The Mk21 (W87) Fuze Replacement design and development efforts were extended to shift the First Production Unit (FPU) delivery from FY19 to FY22. In addition, previous plans to integrate and test the Mk21 fuze replacement with the NNSA W78/88-1 Life Extension Program (LEP) warhead have been deferred beyond the Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP). This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B equivalent approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full-rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2015
• Source ID: 0604933F_5_3600_PB_2015
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2013 funding reflects a decrease of $0.098M due to Congressional reductions, $2.005M due to SBIR transfer, and a decrease of $6.039M due to sequestration. FY 2014 funding reflects a decrease of $11.000M due to Congressional reductions. FY 2015 funding reflects a decrease of $155.010 due to program restructure delaying Mk21 replacement fuze FPU to FY22 consistent with related NNSA and USN efforts, and deferring the NNSA W78/88-1 LEP warhead beyond the FYDP.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Ballistic Missiles
• Cost Analysis
• Costs
• Demonstrations
• Department Of Defense
• Engineering
• Flight Testing
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
• National Security
• Production
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Beds
• Weapon Systems
• Weapons

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security