Minuteman Squadrons

The Minuteman Squadrons program, designated as Program Element (PE) 0101213F, is a critical Air Force initiative focused on sustaining and modernizing the Minuteman III (MM III) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system until its replacement by the Sentinel system. The program is funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation, specifically Budget Activity 7 for Operational Systems Development. Its overarching goal is to ensure the continued reliability, safety, and operational capability of the MM III weapon system, addressing obsolescence and mitigating risks during the transition to newer technologies.

MM Ground and Communication Equipment aims to replace obsolete and unsupportable ground-based weapon system equipment at 45 Launch Control Centers (LCCs) and 450 Launch Facilities (LFs). The primary focus is the development, qualification, integration, and testing of the LGM-30G Fast Rising B-Plug Energy Storage System-Replacement (FRBP ESS-R), a new start in FY26. This system powers the hardware used to secure launch facilities and addresses reliability and obsolescence risks. The project includes critical design reviews, test readiness, and additional support equipment and test stands required for fielding and maintenance. The acquisition strategy involves evaluating vendor qualifications, organic depot capabilities, and competitive source selections to ensure nuclear surety and system validation.

MM III Baseline Support is dedicated to replacing or upgrading flight test unique equipment and ground test systems essential for evaluating MM III capabilities and readiness. Key objectives include the development and deployment of the LGM-30G Flight Test Telemetry and Termination System (FT3), Stage 1 Battery Replacement (SOBR), Higher Authority Communication Test System (HACTS) 2.0, Depot Reentry Support Equipment Replacement Program (DRSERP), Arm/Disarm Switch Replacement (ADSR), and modernization of the Little Mountain Test Facility (LMTF). These efforts support operational test launches, data collection, and analysis to validate system reliability and address capability shortfalls. The program also funds studies, contract closeouts, and acquisition planning to meet evolving threat requirements and facilitate the transition to Sentinel.

Within MM III Baseline Support, several new starts in FY26 are notable. The HACTS 2.0 program replaces outdated communication system test equipment, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and compliance with updated cybersecurity requirements. The SOBR initiative replaces aging silver-zinc batteries with advanced thermal batteries, extending MM III's operational lifespan. The DRSERP project develops new test program sets for depot-level reentry system testing, addressing obsolescence in instrumentation and control consoles. The ADSR effort designs and qualifies replacement arm/disarm switches, critical for ordnance circuit control, with ongoing reliability studies and qualification testing. The LMTF modernization supports nuclear hardness testing and infrastructure upgrades to meet Department of Defense and Department of Energy requirements.

MM Support Equipment focuses on designing, developing, and testing replacement support equipment necessary for MM III sustainment and transition. Major activities include the Missile Transporter Acquisition Program (MTAP), which modernizes the missile transporter fleet, updates technical data packages, and provisions spares to ensure safe transport of MM III components. The MM III Acquisition of Transportation and Handling (MATH) program addresses obsolescence in transportation and handling equipment, updating technical data and engineering support for items such as rocket motor trailers and support equipment. Both efforts involve engineering and manufacturing development phases, technical reviews, and contract awards to ensure readiness and minimize transition risk to Sentinel.

Across all three projects, the program includes funding for unforeseen costs, civilian pay expenses for program management, and compliance with government efficiency initiatives such as Executive Order 14222. The acquisition strategies emphasize streamlined procurement, industry partnerships, and independent verification and validation to maintain nuclear surety. Congressional adds and adjustments have supported multi-domain command and control, software modernization, and specific equipment upgrades. The program's structure ensures that MM III remains a safe, secure, and effective component of the U.S. nuclear deterrent until its planned retirement.