Northrop Grumman officials say the recent static test fire of a technology demonstrator motor for the Minuteman III ICBM was successful and heralds arrival of a motor that could “greatly improve performance, range, and affordability” of the MMIII. Northrop credited teammate Alliant Tech Systems with designing and building the motor, as part of more than 50 programs managed by Northrop to aid USAF improvements to the nation’s lone ICBM.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.