The Air Force reportedly is still considering the use of Minuteman ICBMs fitted with conventional warheads to answer the quick global strike requirement, but service, industry, and congressional stakeholders alike remain skittish, believing such a capability would make everyone else in the world very nervous. A conventional ICBM launch would look just like the launch of a nuke, and other nuclear powers might not be inclined to believe Washington reassurances via the hotline.
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.


