Air Force completes system functional review for ICBM replacement

The Air Force has completed a key developmental milestone for the replacement to the legacy Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile program.

"The [Ground Based Strategic Deterrent] System Functional Review (SFR) was completed on June 20 and official notification sent to the prime contractors," service spokeswoman Leah Bryant told Inside Defense in an email this week.

She explained the purpose of the assessment, stating, "Conducted during the Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction phase of a program, the SFR ensures that the system's functional baseline is established and can satisfy the weapon system’s requirements within the currently allocated budget and schedule."

"It also determines whether the system's lower-level performance requirements are fully defined and consistent with the system concept," she continued.

GBSD is expected to have a Defense Acquisition Board assessment in late June, Bryant said in a separate email last week. The Air Force also anticipates receiving approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to release a request for proposals for the engineering and manufacturing development phase.