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.
The KC-135 Stratotanker that lost part of its vertical stabilizer in a deadly midair collision over Iraq in March is among a group of damaged tankers that have returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to be fully repaired.