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Winning
partnership

TRW guarantees peace of mind

Why TRW Inc has been chosen as the United States Air Force's ICBM prime integration contractor.

After more than 40 years of managing its successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programme under the same system, the United States Air Force has adopted a new management structure. Previously the air force served as the integrator for the ICBM programme and contracted with industry for various elements of the project. Now it has moved from the structure of several associate contractors reporting to an air force system programme oftice (SPO) to a team of sub contractors reporting to a single prime integration contractor.

50 Peacekeeper missiles and 500 Minuteman III missiles compose the land-based segment of the current US ICBM programme

Following a competitive selection process TRW Inc, the air force's systems engineering/technical assistance associate contractor since the ICBM programme's inception in the mid 1950s, has become the air force's ICBM prime integration contractor. The contract became effective on 30 January 1998.
"We support the air force's plan to lower the cost of maintaining the ICBM weapon system by streamlining management of the programme," says Dr Robert L Strickler, who serves as vice president and general manager of the TRW unit managing the programme.
The main responsibility of TRW is the sustainment of the operational ICBM force in a state of readiness so that national defence strategies involving those systems can be executed successfully. The sustainment process includes replacement of ageing propulsion and guidance systems on 500 Minuteman 111 missiles.
The air force's land-based ICBM programme has long been one of three crucial elements of the United States' nuclear deterrence. Consisting of bombers, sea-launched ballistic missiles and land-based ICBMs, the nation's three-pronged defensive systems have been an effective nuclear deterrent for more than four decades. The nuclear posture review and quadrennial defence review validated the need to maintain the three elements of nuclear deterrence.

Although the threat of massive nuclear attack against the US is less than it has been during the past 40 years, the challenge is to provide an effective deterrent while reducing the number of nuclear weapons. Current US policy maintains ICBM forces at START I levels until START II ratification: 18 Trident submarines form the seas-based segment, 50 Peacekeeper missiles and 500 Minuteman Ill missiles compose the land-based segment, and 71 R-52H bombers and 21 B-2 bombers comprise the aircraft-based segment of the programme.

Completing the modernisation programme is critical to maintain an effective nuclear deterrent

"We know how the Minuteman 111 and Peace-keeper were designed and built and how they operate," says Strickler of TRW's 40-plus years on the ICBM programme. We have the people and resources to continue the air force's record of excellent programme performance."
The triad provides deterrence to assure nuclear stability throughout the world. Minuteman 111 and Peacekeeper, the land-based element of the triad, is low cost, has the highest safety level, functions at a high alert rate and has more than 500 hardened site aim points, making it difficult for an enemy to defeat.
The air force has initiated a life-extension programme for the Minuteman 111 ICBM and continuing the programme will be a responsibility of TRW Inc. Minuteman 111, that dates back to the 1960s, has been and will continue to be updated to sustain the system's capability. The Minuteman 111 modernisation programme comprises five elements: transitioning to single warhead missiles after START II; upgrading the launch-control facility; a guidance electronics programme; a propulsion replacement programme; and upgrading the communication network. Completing the modernisation programme is critical to maintain an effective nuclear deterrent.

The sustainment process includes replacement of ageing propulsion and guidance systems on 500 Minuteman III missiles.

To move the modernisation programme ahead and to manage the entire ICBM programme in the new contracting structure, the air force released a request for proposal (RFP) on 13 June 1997 and awarded the single prime integration contract in December 1997. TRW formed a team of leading US companies to meet all air force objectives and brought its systems engineering excellence and weapon systems integration expertise to lead a team that includes Boeing, Thiokol, Lockheed Martin, United Technologies Corporation, BDM and MRJ Technology Solutions.
TRW's heritage in the defence and space business and the management of large, complex government programmes dates back to the beginning of the ICBM programme. This includes more than 200 space satellites, numerous satellite ground systems, diverse information management systems for government and commercial organisations and major programme management responsibilities for US defence and civil government agencies. The company also is one of the world's largest suppliers of components and systems for the automotive industry.
TRW is committing resources from throughout the company to provide the air force with the best team at the best value. With unsurpassed management experience, technical capabilities, innovative vision for programme sustainment and upgrades, proven systems engineering and integration skills and world class team-mates, TRW offers the air force the greatest capability to maintain the key element of US nuclear deterrence. With this capability, the US will continue to enjoy a special kind of freedom, one that comes from peace of mind.

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