(U) Minuteman Propulsion Replacement Program (PRP)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) Analysis of the fielded Minuteman III (MM III) weapon system has predicted ageout of the Stage 1, 2, and 3 rocket motors.  To support MM III weapon system requirements into the 21st century, a replacement/refurbishment of the MM III rocket motors including ordnance and integrating hardware is required.  The PRP will:  1) provide technology insertion of changes to the existing motor/ordnance designs and processes to replace unavailable or environmentally unacceptable materials, components, and processes in addition to correcting known hardware problems; 2)provide updated flight constants for guidance and targeting software that is verified and validated for operational use; and 3) provide a remanufacture phase which will replace the existing MM III motors before they exceed their service lives.

Description: (U)
(U)  The PRP extends the life, maintains the performance, and improves the reliability of the MM III operational force by replacing the solid propellant propulsion subsystems prior to ageout.  The solid propulsion systems now in the force are projected to begin aging out in 2002 and must be replaced in order to support current force planning.  The PRP will be executed in two phases:  Technology Insertion (TI) and Remanufacture.  During the TI phase, new materials and manufacturing processes will be qualified to replace unavailable or environmentally prohibited materials.  Additionally, known failure modes and design weaknesses will be corrected by incrementally inserting and qualifying current rocket motor technologies.  The PRP will reuse existing components to the greatest extent possible.  Another goal of TI is to maintain the industrial base so that rocket motor production capability is available when needed for motor remanufacture.  During remanufacture, the solid rocket motors will be remanufactured at a rate up to eight motors per month during the period FY 2000 through FY 2008.

(U)  Software changes will be incorporated to account for material modifications incorporated during the TI phase.  The missile control dynamics, mass properties, and propulsion characterization programs will be modified and validated to ensure a controlled flight.

User Impact: (U)
(U)  Ongoing Minuteman life extension efforts are required to extend the life of the MM III weapon system.  The PRP will ensure the MM III rocket motors, ordnance, and integrating hardware are maintained at acceptable weapon system reliability thresholds through 2020.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 01/2002 (2QFY2002).
		(U)  The project entered Phase 2 (Engineering Manufacturing and Development) in FY94. Milestone III - Sep 00.
	(U) FOC: 01/2008 (2QFY2008).

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) ICBM System Program Office: Funding Source.
		
RDT&EPE 0604851F: ProcurementAppn 3020 ICN LGM30G (Air Force)

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Arnold Engineer Dev Cntr (AEDC), CBM with Common Aero-Vehicle, CBM with MNNRV, EMATS-R, ICBM EHF Terminals, ICBM FOT&E, MM Guidance Replacement Prog

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) ICBM Sustainment

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) FORCE APPLICATION, National Security Space Road Map.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
01 December 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)