Air Force Space Command’s view—not yet approved by Pentagon leadership—is that the command can “continue to evolve” the Minuteman III weapons system even further into the future. This ICBM evolution would eliminate—for now—the need for more-expensive alternatives, such as starting an acquisition program for an all-new “Minuteman IV” missile, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, acting commander, said at a Washington forum. He did not say exactly how long the command now feels the Minuteman III can remain in service.
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.
