ICBM FUZE MOD

The ICBM Fuze Modernization (ICBM FUZE MOD) program is a critical Air Force initiative focused on replacing the aging Mk21 fuze used in the Minuteman III (MMIII) and future LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) weapon systems. The primary goal of this program is to design and produce a functionally equivalent replacement fuze that meets a 20-year threshold and a 30-year objective design life. This ensures continued reliability and operational capability for the U.S. strategic deterrent. The current Mk21/W87-0 fuze inventory is insufficient to meet United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) requirements, and the existing fuzes are operating well beyond their original ten-year design life, necessitating urgent modernization.

The ICBM Fuze Modernization program encompasses the procurement of new fuzes, system testing, support and test equipment, data, and training required to field and sustain the new Mk21 replacement fuze. This effort directly supports the W87-0 warhead and is aligned with requirements defined by Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). The program is structured to ensure that the new fuze can be deployed on both legacy and future ICBM platforms. This supports the long-term viability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

A significant objective within this line item is the transition from Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to Full Rate Production (FRP) of the new fuze assemblies. The program completed Milestone C in October 2021, authorizing LRIP, and is scheduled to enter FRP in November 2024. Funds in FY2025 and FY2026 are allocated for the procurement of Arming and Fuzing Assemblies (AFAs) to support this production ramp-up. These efforts are essential to meeting operational deployment schedules and ensuring a sufficient inventory of modernized fuzes.

Another key component is the Life of Type Buy (LOTB) strategy, executed in partnership with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA). The LOTB approach involves procuring critical components such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs), and power sources in single production runs. This strategy is necessary due to limited component availability and production capacity at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), which supports multiple nuclear modernization programs. The LOTB ensures the availability of qualified, interchangeable parts for both Air Force and Navy fuzes, promoting commonality and cost efficiency.

The Long Lead Production aspect of the program involves advance procurement of essential hardware and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components required for the fuze's radar, pathlength, interface, firing, and safety modules. Advance procurement authority through FY2025 enables timely acquisition of these items, which are critical to maintaining the production schedule and avoiding delays in fielding the modernized fuze. This proactive approach addresses potential supply chain constraints and supports the overall program timeline.

The ICBM Fuze Modernization program is managed using the joint Department of Defense Department of Energy Phase 6.X process for nuclear stockpile activities, ensuring alignment with Navy and DOE/NNSA operations. The program has completed key milestones, including Baseline and Final Design Reviews, multiple flight tests, and the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) report. The next phase will be Full Scale Production (Phase 6.6), anticipated in the second quarter of FY2026. The program's management structure and milestone tracking are tailored to satisfy both DoD statutory requirements and DOE/NNSA production processes.