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.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.