US Air Force announced a tender for a new ICBM, which will replace Minuteman-III

The United States Air Force announced a tender for the creation of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, which in the future will replace the obsolete Minuteman-III in service. The winner of the tender will be determined in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Defense News.

The US Air Force announced a tender for the development of a new ICBM and the creation of five samples of a new missile by the end of next year. The very same strategic ballistic missile in the United States plans to put into service in the middle of 2020-s, since the Minuteman-III missiles currently in service can be maintained in combat readiness only until the 2030 of the year.

Preliminary work on the creation of a new ICBM to replace Minuteman-III has been carried out in the United States over the past two years. The project involves two US companies, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, which have already received three-year missile design contracts in 2017. The project will be defended within the framework of the announced tender, the terms of which are classified. It is only known that when choosing a rocket, the cost of the rocket itself and its production will be taken into account.

It is also known that the new ICBM will have to use the head parts of the Mk.12A and Mk.21 from the ICBM Minuteman-III, in which one or several W78 (350 kilotons) and W87 (300 kilotons) nuclear charges can be placed, respectively. Also, a new rocket should be universal; maybe it will begin to place on mobile platforms.

After adopting the new ICBM should be in service with the United States at least until 2075 year.

Minuteman III is the only intercontinental ground-based ballistic missile currently in service with the United States. Three-stage missiles of this family were originally created for nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union. According to the latest data from open sources, the United States has 450 missiles Minuteman 3, capable of hitting the target with three warheads at a range of 12 thousands of kilometers.

Comments

[Nycomed]

It's time to replace the old woman, from the last Cold War to the real migrated ...

[Sky strike fighter]

It is a pity that the contract for the new ICBMs was not offered to Ilon Mask, that would have definitely failed. Today, his company has problems again. They fired the rocket at the start.

[poquello]

Quote: Sky Strike fighter

It is a pity that the contract for the new ICBMs was not offered to Ilon Mask, that would have definitely failed. Today, his company has problems again. They fired the rocket at the start.

))) Do you think these problems will not be?

[Blackmokona]

The rocket is intact and there are no problems.
Photo after the incident.

Jumping is expected in the near future (days, weeks)

[LVMI1980]

Oh did the Ashtray

[Blackmokona]

Taki flying stand for the development of engines raptor

[Sky strike fighter]

Here are the last "successes" of Elon Musk.

July 17, during static fire tests of the sixth Raptor engine, built by SpaceX for the promising Starship spaceship, another “anomaly” arose. During the second start of the unit, a fire occurred on the launch pad.

https://topcor.ru/10199-amerikanskij-starhopper-zagorelsja-vo-vremja-ispytanij.html
At the link above you can find an article in which there is a video where it does not burn so weakly.
Link to video.
https://youtu.be/0LQ7UV2NqZ0

[Nycomed]

Was it really possible to introduce Rogozin to the Mask? Bravo to our SVR!

[Sky strike fighter]

Quote: Nycomed

Was it really possible to introduce Rogozin to the Mask? Bravo to our SVR!

Did I miss something in the development of transplantology? Did you get brain cells from Boxer Rogozina and put Mask in my head?

[Sergey39]

But what warheads do not have a shelf life?

[Rzzz]

You can reload warheads.

[sabakina]

Quote: rzzz

You can reload warheads.

Backfill question: WHAT ???

[asv363]

Vyacheslav, they have everything, including weapons-grade plutonium-239 reserves (more than 94% of Pu-239). I don’t remember the volume of reserves right now, about 100 metric tons. The technology for cleaning plutonium from charges is quite simple - fusible, after 5-6 times there are almost no impurities, and this is a guarantee for 30-40 years.
The problems are only with capacities for remelting and making new charges. Misalignments in the budgetary provision take place.

[Mavrikiy]

You can reload warheads.

Backfill question: WHAT ???

Coal dust is possible, they have a lot of it, and also has some brisance.

[Rzzz]

Old plutonium is being remelted, the technology has been developed. Tritium is pumped into the spray can, and forward. For a couple of decades.

[asv363]

Tritium has a half-life of about 12 years, so it needs to be changed more often. However, the process of recharging it is easier.

[KCA]

To do this, we need weapons-grade plutonium, which, apparently, does not exist, the decrease in the power of nuclear charges is apparently not associated with a new strategy for the use of nuclear weapons, namely, the lack of plutonium stock; charge and, accordingly, reduce power

[Honest Citizen]

Well, like world intelligence are being activated ....
US Kontriks will strain the rolls ...

[Sky strike fighter]

The United States plans to put the new strategic ballistic missile into service already in the mid-2020s, as the Minuteman-III missiles currently in service can be maintained in combat readiness only until 2030.

Optimistic. But Trump is a well-known optimist. At best, they will start adopting in 10 years. They haven't even chosen a project yet.

Project protection will be carried out as part of an announced tender, the conditions of which are classified. It is only known that when choosing a rocket the cost of the rocket itself and its production will be taken into account.

[PalBor]

Still as optimistic. They hope that the United States will survive until 2075.

[Mavrikiy]

Quote: PalBor

Still as optimistic. They hope that the United States will survive until 2075.

Here is the logic of life. I begin to root for the existence of the United States, although I hate them. For we can remain one on one with the PRC and then for sure we kirdyk. China is not in a puddle. And Siberia will demand to the Urals.

[Sergei 23]

Also, the new rocket must be universal; perhaps it will begin to be placed on mobile platforms. Less than time (already weakly believe in their exclusivity being behind a puddle).

[knn54]

"Old men", and in terms of accuracy and range are ahead of both "Topol" and "Yars". And the number of them is 3 .. 4 more than in the Russian Federation. True, "Minuteman" is intended only for a mine-based and has three warheads.

[Sky strike fighter]

Yars also flies 12000 km, so they are not ahead of their range in accuracy either. Yars is the latest development, the Minutes are antediluvian and ALL of them will be written off in 10 years, so it doesn’t matter how many there are, and they are just starting to develop a replacement.

The United States plans to put the new strategic ballistic missile into service already in the mid-2020s, as the Minuteman-III missiles currently in service can be maintained in combat readiness only until 2030.

Americans are forced to rush.

[2 Level Advisor]

the fairness of radiars cannot be called a new complex as well as rather, it is the latest modification of poplar, mainly characterized by the presence of several BBs .. i.e. like the avant-garde, first of all it’s a new head on an old medium .. at the same time, the minutemans have also undergone several modernizations, including with the replacement of the head .. therefore, we have with stripes as a matter of fact parity - and thank God!

[kit88]

I think there will be no one to evaluate the accuracy of these products.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: knn54

"Old men"

These "oldies" have gone through 12 upgrades of their units and systems. From the 1970 Minuteman, only one name remained. And the minced meat is all new, even the fuel is 1.47 times more energy-intensive than the original. Therefore, apparently, it is no longer possible to "modernize" further - the piece of iron cannot stand it. Everything comes sooner or later ...
But.

[Sky strike fighter]

Nevertheless, their combat readiness can be maintained only until 2030, and then written off. Such is the modernization of the nodes.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: Sky Strike fighter

Such is the modernization of nodes

Well, what can I tell you about this? It was KVO 500m became 150m and the maximum deviation was reduced by 6 times ... And just something - "modernization" ...

[AVA77]

It is solid fuel, you don’t want to change it, it has a limited shelf life.

[sabakina]

Quote: BoA KAA

Quote: knn54

"Old men"

These "oldies" have gone through 12 upgrades of their units and systems. From the 1970 Minuteman, only one name remained. And the minced meat is all new, even the fuel is 1.47 times more energy-intensive than the original. Therefore, apparently, it is no longer possible to "modernize" further - the piece of iron cannot stand it. Everything comes sooner or later ...
But.

Sanya, they are old men. Is the minced meat new? Is fuel new? What about BC? Also new? even in this article it’s written directly: old warheads for new missiles !!! Nuclear warhead is not last year's gasoline! SHE WILL AGE FASTER THAN WE!

[Tuxuu]

So then our answer to the minuteman is Satan, and the Governor (p36m2), while the voivode is much superior to the minuteman

[bistrov.]

Quote: knn54

And by the number of them in 3 .. 4 more than in Russia

There are 451 ground launch vehicles deployed in Russia and 652 in the US, as of the end of 2010. Where is the difference "... 3 ..., 4 times ..."?

[Sergey-8848]

Due to the need to circulate money back and forth, each term on the rocket will be shifted "to the right." Smart people looking at the convention will keep them from chatting up the decision-making process. Knowing that we are not going to smash them for the next 100 years, every congressman or senator can do his best for his deputies (regardless of his bias, as well as who he is in general: black, red, blue, and is he a human being? ). But the vote will be as it should be!

[Karaul14]

These "oldies", like Trident 2, were constantly undergoing modernization, while Trident 2 and Minuteman 3 significantly surpass all their counterparts in the world in range, accuracy and throw weight, while using safer solid fuel. Taking this into account, we can say that their new missiles will not be equal for a long time.

[Operator]

Quote: Karaul14

safer solid fuel is used

And Yarsy, in your opinion, use unsafe soft fuel?

[Sky strike fighter]

The Bulava-M is inferior to Trident 2 only in terms of throwing weight, which is insignificant with new light powerful warheads. The weight of the Bulava-M is under 40 tons, and the weight of Trident 2 is under 60 tons. This is understandable with such a difference. In all other respects, the Bulava-M Trident 2 is not inferior. Both rockets are solid fuel. Yars is not inferior to Minuteman 3 in anything. Both rockets are also solid fuel.

Already taking this into account, we can say that their new missiles will not be equal for a long time.

Rather, their new missiles for a long time will not be in principle.

[Karaul14]

Here are just the years of development of the trident and minuteman 3 with Russian missiles, compare how many years have passed and then barely caught up with some characteristics, let alone the new American missile, I think it will surpass everyone again by 30 years in advance. The mace, by the way, failed more than a third of the launches, Trident 2 +100 starts in a row without complaints.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: Karaul14

we can say that their new missiles will not be equal for a long time.

"Oh, how! And the men don't know!" (from)
Dear, and that the Yankees have quasi-ballistic vehicles with intercontinental range and hypersonic warheads? Or do they have combat equipment similar to ours for heavy (super-heavy!) ICBMs? Or do they have a Freight One MBR? So, do not sing "war songs" from someone else's voice! Moreover, it is not evening yet, and our Kulibins will present something like that to the amazed Pindos.

[Tuxuu]

Before you write nonsense read about our strategic nuclear forces and the likely enemy, learn a lot of new

[Boa kaa]

Quote: Tuxuu

Before you write nonsense read about our strategic nuclear forces and the likely enemy, learn a lot of new

Maxim, unlike you, I served on the carrier of these strategic nuclear forces ... Every year I passed tests for admission to him, "beloved" ... I will not further convince you about nonsense that you have no idea about ...

[Old26]

Quote: Sergey39

But what warheads do not have a shelf life?

They have. And it is precisely for 2030–2032 that the Americans plan to start mass production of new IW warheads to replace the W warheads. Instead of the existing warheads with the W index, IW warheads will be created (in three standard sizes)

Quote: sabakina

Quote: rzzz

You can reload warheads.

Backfill question: WHAT ???

Well, the reserves of weapons-grade plutonium among the Americans are quite large. EMNIP about 80-95 tons. Now the question is about the re-equipment of the plants and the creation of the entire cycle of production of nuclear weapons again. Now US nuclear facilities can only modernize or dispose of existing nuclear warheads.

Quote: PalBor

Still as optimistic. They hope that the United States will survive until 2075.

Here at VO, there were optimists who, with foam at the mouth, claimed that the United States would fall apart at the level of 1-2 quarters of the current 2019. The truth is that they no longer vang, because they sat down in a puddle with their forecasts

Quote: knn54

"Old men", and in terms of accuracy and range are ahead of both "Topol" and "Yars". And the number of them is 3 .. 4 more than in the Russian Federation. True, "Minuteman" is intended only for a mine-based and has three warheads.

I will correct you a little, Nikolay. In terms of quantity, of course, they actually surpass "Poplar" and "Yarsy", but not 4 times, as you write. They deployed 400 ICBMs plus 50 silos are in a state where they can load additional 50 "Minutemans" if necessary. As for the Yars, their number is now about 110-115, I can't say more precisely, we must count. Plus, there are about 3 dozen Topol and 78 Topol-M left IMHO. In total, this gives about 210-220 units. That is, the number of "Minutemans" is twice as large, but not 3-4
As for the BB on the Minuteman, now they are equipped with only one block, although of course they can be retrofitted and up to 3 for each missile

Quote: Sky Strike fighter

Yars also flies 12000 km, so they are not ahead in range and accuracy too. Yars is the latest development

"Yars" has never flown to the maximum range. And the data from the TTX about 12000 km is rather a figure from the TTT than actually confirmed. From the Topol family, only Topol-M flew once to the maximum range in Aquatoria, all other products flew along the Plesetsk-Kura route, the length of which is a little over 6000 km .. Minuteman-3, I don't want it recognized on tests and flew at 8000 km and 9000 km.
"Yars" is not the latest development. It is enough to look at the index of these products and the code of the topic on which it was developed. In fact, this is the modernization of "Topol-M"

Quote: BoA KAA

Quote: knn54

"Old men"

These "oldies" have gone through 12 upgrades of their units and systems. From the 1970 Minuteman, only one name remained. And the minced meat is all new, even the fuel is 1.47 times more energy-intensive than the original. Therefore, apparently, it is no longer possible to "modernize" further - the piece of iron cannot stand it. Everything comes sooner or later ...
But.

You are right, Alexander. We would have modernized our solid-propellant missiles like the Americans did their "minutemans". They managed to fine-tune the technology of replacing bonded charges with the same body, replacing fragments of remote control (nozzles). Well, the modernization of guidance systems, aiming, and so on - it's on stream. But time gives its limits. It is impossible to upgrade indefinitely and the product requires replacement

Quote: Sky Strike fighter

Nevertheless, their combat readiness can be maintained only until 2030, and then written off. Such is the modernization of the nodes.

And until what time were we able to maintain the performance of our UR-100N UTTH or Voevod? Or Topol?
In service with our Strategic Rocket Forces no NOT ONE COMPLEX, which was put into service in the 70s and will stand for another ten years. Poplars are being decommissioned so intensively that I would not be surprised that by 2020 there will not be one of these missiles, which is younger than Minuteman.

Quote: Tuxuu

So then our answer to the minuteman is Satan, and the Governor (p36m2), while the voivode is much superior to the minuteman

Still, it is worth being more careful with the designations. Otherwise, you use both our designation and the Western one. But the western designation "Satan" includes the entire family of R-36M missiles. And the R-36M, and the R-36M UTTH, and finally the R-36M2 Voyevoda.
And this class of missiles was the answer not to the Minutemans, but to the American Imtans. But the Americans wrote them off in the 70s, and then we began to deploy the P-36M family. A heavy rocket cannot be the answer to a light one. The answer to the "minuteman" was first the 8K98 complex, and then the Topol. Although in performance characteristics they were not ahead of the "Minuteman"

Quote: Sky Strike fighter

Mace-M

Bulava-M? Oh how !! Does she exist, this SLBM ???

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

Dear, and that the Yankees have quasi-ballistic vehicles with intercontinental range and hypersonic warheads? Or do they have combat equipment similar to ours for heavy (super-heavy!) ICBMs? Or do they have a Freight One MBR? So, do not sing "war songs" from someone else's voice! Moreover, it is not evening yet, and our Kulibins will present something like that to the amazed Pindos.

Sasha! no need to go into the bottle. The Trident was also tested along quasi-ballistic trajectories. There are a lot of interesting materials on the network based on the results of these tests. And there is no need to repeat the phrase "coined" in the media about hypersonic warheads on American missiles. Any medium-range missile, let alone an ICBM or SLBM with an intercontinental range, has blocks that enter the atmosphere at hypersonic speed ....
They do not have analogues for equipping heavy (super-heavy "ICBMs due to the lack of such missiles. However, they are working on cruise units and in time we started doing this at about the same time. They did not have to re-equip their existing missiles with such units. on "Minuteman-4" or "Trident E-6" we do not know yet

They do not currently have PGRK. But this does not mean that they will not be able to create it if necessary. We just have different concepts for strategic missile basing

[bald]

Or maybe we’ll get connected, all the same a tender! - we have two things that win - quality and price, and then - Russia won’t get poor from this (Israel will prove it - Wikipedia).

[Ezekiel 25-17]

By the 30th they’ll do ...

[Old26]

Quote: KCA

To do this, we need weapons-grade plutonium, which, apparently, does not exist, the decrease in the power of nuclear charges is apparently not associated with a new strategy for the use of nuclear weapons, namely, the lack of plutonium stock; charge and, accordingly, reduce power

The decrease in the power of their warheads is associated not with the lack of weapons-grade plutonium, but with a certain change in the concept of using nuclear weapons. They, if we speak sarcastically, "woke up" suddenly "love of man." And they are trying to convey this idea to the representatives of "other nations".

The background, of course, is rather ideological (for external and internal use). This is not new. Even the notorious Adolf and his singers broadcast about the liberation of "the Russian people from the horrors of communism." So it is here. We will be told that a decrease in the power of the charge speaks of their philanthropy. In reality, it all comes down to inflicting damage on the enemy, but with fewer concomitant factors. For instance. Striking a power plant with a 5 kt charge will cause much less damage to the plant itself than using a 100 or 300 kt BB. And the townships of power engineers in general will hardly suffer from this.

So it turns out that to solve certain problems associated with "surgical strikes" it is easier to have a charge of 5 kt than 100. The same British boats now have an interesting layout of missiles.
One shaft on the boat is used exclusively for testing (shaft # 1). A missile with 2 BG was installed in mine No. 1, and it is such a missile that is designed to deliver a "surgical strike". Of course, not in Russia, but Britain has always had enough opponents. Installation on such a rocket and BG of reduced power (5-7 kt) is possible. Now "there are rumors" that there may be not one, but 3-4 such missiles. Another 4 silos are equipped with normal-yield BG missiles. This is in peacetime. Moreover, the number of BGs can be reduced to 3-4. The rest of the boat shafts are generally "empty". And the reason for this is not the absence of weapons-grade plutonium in this or that country. Do not entertain yourself with illusions. The same Americans have problems in their nuclear weapons complex, but they not critical yet

It is hard to say how true this concept is. Indeed, under the deployment of various BGs in various countries, there was always something. The low accuracy of our ICBMs in the 60s was offset by the power of warheads compared to American missiles. Therefore, with low accuracy, our missiles had warheads with a capacity of 20-25 megatons. Now the accuracy using astro correction in particular is so great that it allows you to aim warheads with an accuracy of 90-120 meters. And under certain conditions, the use of a 5-kt BG is justified.

[Alexander Petrov1]

Yes, it's time to replace, or even computers of 70 years on floppy disks ...