Boeing has won a contract potentially worth up to $27 million over the next 42 months for the final production phases of the new personnel access hatches that the Air Force is installing at its Minuteman III ICBM launch facilities in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming, the company announced Oct. 20. Boeing has already delivered more than one-fourth of these 459 hatch systems, called fast rising B-plug kits, and will provide the remainder under this contract. First deliveries are expected in January. The B-plug kit provides an active delay device that allows personnel in a missile launch facility to rapidly secure the facility from any of multiple locations. Boeing is a subcontractor to Northrop Grumman for Minuteman III modernization activities.
As commander of Air Forces Central, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich has been at the heart of almost all U.S. military action in the Middle East, from overseeing airstrikes against Iranian proxy groups to protecting troops as America’s air defense commander for the region. Just before handing over his command to…