Mk21A Reentry Vehicle
Abstract
The Mk21A Reentry Vehicle (RV) program will design, develop, produce, and deploy an integrated RV capable of delivering the W87-1 warhead when released from the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system. The Mk21A program will provide needed performance and security enhancements over the Mk21 RV to meet the upgraded requirements for the Department of Energy (DOE)/ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) W87-1 warhead, while ensuring the time certain delivery of both the W87-1 and Mk21A programs. The Mk21A will also meet the requirements laid out in the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system Capability Development Document (CDD) as directed by Air Force Global Strike Command. The Mk21A RV includes: shape stable nose tip; high impulse transducer; arming and fuzing subsystem (AFS); aeroshell forward section, body section, and rear cover; radio frequency subsystem with antennas; RV spin subsystem; in-flight disconnect cable; and other electrical cables. During the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, the Mk21A program will include prime contractor development of a critical RV design, applicable support equipment, data, flight test hardware, infrastructure, and training materials while examining and mitigating weapon system integration risks, nuclear surety, hardness and certification, and system vulnerability assessments. Additionally, the program, in conjunction with the DOE/NNSA, will develop test assets to ensure the integration and qualification of the Mk21A and W87-1 on the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system. IAW 10 USC 4252, this program has not yet fully satisfied the certification requirement that the heatshield technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment as required prior to Milestone B approval. The Mk21A uses similar materials and process as currently fielded and should have the necessary data to certify the demonstration in 1QFY25. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2023 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this budget program activity code (BPAC), and in FY 2024 0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this BPAC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 674920_0101328F_7_3600_PB_2025
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