Air Launch Cruise Missile (ALCM)

The Air Launch Cruise Missile (ALCM) Program is a critical component of the U.S. Air Force's strategic deterrence capability, focusing on the sustainment and modernization of the AGM-86B missile system. The primary goal of this budget line is to ensure the continued operational viability of the ALCM fleet until its eventual replacement by the Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) weapon.

The program addresses aging, obsolescence, and reliability issues through targeted modifications, remanufacture, and refurbishment of key missile subsystems and support equipment. These efforts are essential to maintain compliance with Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) requirements for a credible and reliable nuclear deterrent.

Support equipment funding is allocated to remanufacture and refurbish unique support and alternate mission equipment for the AGM-86B/C, including maintenance gear, handling equipment, and load frame adapters. This ensures that missile maintenance and field operations remain effective and reliable through the ALCM's service life. The program also addresses Diminishing Manufacturing and Material Shortage (DMSMS) issues and supports audit compliance as required by federal law.

Guided Missile Flight Controller (GMFC) is a key reliability and maintainability effort. The GMFC is responsible for missile flight control, receiving data from the inertial navigation system and transmitting it to other flight-critical components. The modification involves remanufacture and replacement of aging circuit card assemblies identified as reliability risks. The program is structured to provide both depot-level and organizational-level replacement kits, with installation rates calibrated to meet operational needs and minimize fleet downtime.

Fuze Assembly is part of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) and addresses obsolescence in the missile's impact sensing and warhead arming system. The new fuze assemblies are produced and installed at both depot and field levels, ensuring the missile's safe and effective operation. The effort is informed by ongoing surveillance and analysis, with kits distributed for both scheduled and condition-based maintenance.

Inertial Navigation Element (INE) modernization is driven by aging concerns and operational test failures. The INE is critical for missile guidance and target accuracy. The program funds remanufacture and replacement of INEs, with installation capacity limited by contractor throughput. Northrop Grumman is the primary manufacturer, and the effort is coordinated to ensure continued navigation reliability across the fleet.

Flight Data Transmitter (FDT) and Elevon Actuator Controller (EAC) modifications are recent additions to the sustainment portfolio. The FDT provides essential flight data for control and navigation, while the EAC manages the missile's flight control surfaces. Both programs involve remanufacture and replacement of legacy hardware, with phased kit procurement and installation at both depot and field levels. These modifications are critical to address component aging and maintain overall missile performance.

Across all modifications, the ALCM program's objectives are to proactively address component aging, obsolescence, and reliability risks before they become fleet-wide issues. The program leverages a combination of depot and field-level maintenance, contractor and organic manufacturing, and phased implementation to ensure the ALCM fleet remains mission-ready. Funding adjustments are made annually to reflect actual execution costs and emerging requirements, and all efforts support compliance with statutory audit requirements. The overarching justification is to maintain a credible, safe, and effective nuclear deterrent until the ALCM's replacement by the LRSO system.