The last of 50 deactivated Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launch facilities once operated by the 564th Missile Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., were demolished Aug. 5, another step toward US compliance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, signed with Russia in 2010. With Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, and Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st Missile Wing commander, watching, contractors used heavy equipment to bury the site’s 110-ton launcher closure door and fill the launch tube with dirt, eliminating it as a usable missile launch silo. The removal of the 564th MS’s ICMB sites now leaves the 341st MW with 150 Minuteman III missiles on alert. Destruction of the former missile launch sites must be verified by Russia within 60 days. In addition, another 50 silos already were destroyed at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., leaving only three ICBM test silos at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., yet to be destroyed before the US the New START mandate. The treaty, which became effective Feb. 5, 2011, limits both countries to 1,550 nuclear warheads deployed on 700 ICMBs, sea-launched ballistic missiles, and nuclear-capable bombers. (Malmstrom release)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.