ICBM Reentry Vehicles

The ICBM Reentry Vehicles Program Element (PE 0101328F) within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget is focused on designing, developing, producing, and deploying advanced reentry vehicle (RV) systems for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). The primary objective is to ensure that ICBM weapon systems can deliver current and future warheads, such as the W87-1, with enhanced performance, security, and survivability in evolving threat environments. This program supports both the modernization of existing RVs and the exploration of next-generation capabilities, in alignment with Air Force Global Strike Command requirements and Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) standards.

The principal line item under this program is the development of an integrated RV capable of delivering the W87-1 warhead from the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system. The program aims to provide significant performance and security upgrades over legacy RVs, including a shape-stable nose tip, high-impulse transducer, advanced arming and fuzing subsystem, improved aeroshell sections, radio frequency subsystems, spin subsystem, and robust electrical cabling. The program is structured around the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, which includes critical design development, risk mitigation, nuclear surety, certification, and integration with the Sentinel system.

During the EMD phase, the program executes contracts for systems engineering, information technology, data management, and analytical capabilities to deliver a mature, low-risk RV design. Key objectives include conducting critical design reviews, building and qualifying test assets in collaboration with DOE/NNSA, and integrating the RV and warhead into the Sentinel system. The program also emphasizes model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to ensure government ownership of the technical baseline and employs unified certification strategies to meet nuclear surety, cybersecurity, and safety requirements. Flight and ground testing, including prototype heatshield tests, are conducted to validate performance and reduce development risks.

A second major line item focuses on the future of ICBM payloads and countermeasures. This program is tasked with designing, developing, and integrating new payload system suites, including advanced reentry vehicles and countermeasures, to address emerging threats and warfighter priorities. It leverages investments from related demonstration and validation programs, the Science & Technology community, and Navy reentry systems, employing digital engineering, agile software development, and open systems architectures to accelerate technology maturation and acquisition.

Activities in FY2026 include early acquisition efforts with prime vendors, expanded market research, operational concept exploration, technology trade studies, and integration studies. The program supports DOE/NNSA warhead concept assessments and seeks to strengthen the industrial base by fostering a diverse pool of vendors and research partners. The acquisition strategy emphasizes agile contracting, competitive awards, prototype demonstrations, and close coordination with DOE/NNSA to ensure continued effectiveness and adaptability of ICBM weapon systems.

Both major lines include necessary civilian pay expenses for program management, execution, and delivery of weapon system capabilities. These expenses are tracked separately and supplement civilian pay budgets in other related program elements. The programs also utilize support contracts for integration, modeling, security, and infrastructure, with funding allocated for information technology and administrative services to facilitate program execution.