Air Force Research Lab scientists and engineers at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, have resolved a technical issue with nozzles for the third stage of the Minuteman III ICBM, thereby sparing the service a costly redesign. Working with officials from industry and the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, they conducted a year-long study in 2007 to determine why molybdenum (Mo) nozzle throat-supports were cracking in new nozzle units. As a direct result of their work, the Air Force avoided approximately $120 million in cost that would have been necessary to design and validate a new nozzle build and $36 million for delays in nozzle production. For their efforts, the study team received the 2007 Brent Scowcroft Award for ICBM Acquisitions and Sustainment. (Wright-Patterson report by Pete Meltzer Jr.)
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.