ATK Wins $541 Mn to Refuel Minuteman III ICBMs
Alliant Techsystems subsidiary ATK Thiokol has received contract options worth $541 million from Northrop Grumman Corporation to refurbish components and replace propellant on Minuteman III nuclear ICBM Stage 1, 2 and 3 rocket motors. This award is the fifth of seven full-rate production options under the ICBM Propulsion Replacement Program. The fifth option is worth $194 million, covers 78 booster sets, and will extend the program through March 2008. Options 6 and 7 are for 84 and 50 booster sets respectively, and would extend the program through August 2009.
The Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program (PRP) began in 1998 as a Joint Venture between ATK and Pratt & Whitney. All work content was transitioned to ATK in the 2003-2004 timeframe following a contract restructure. Most of the work on the contract will be performed at the company’s facilities in Utah. See corporate release.
With the retirement of the more modern MX “Peacekeeper” missile, the Minuteman III is the sole nuclear missile remaining in the land component of America’s nuclear triad. These missiles have undergone a number of upgrades over the past few years – not to mention EPA certification; see all DID coverage of the Minuteman III for more.
