Boeing wins $1.6 billion contract for ICBM sustainment

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $1.6 billion contract to sustain the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile's guidance subsystem, according to the Defense Department.

The sustainment contract runs for 16 years, tasking Boeing with maintaining readiness and accuracy of the ICBM’s guidance systems into 2039, according to a company news release.

“We built the Minuteman’s guidance system, so no one knows it like Boeing,” Program Director of Strategic Deterrence Systems Ted Kerzie said. “Our highly specialized facilities and top-flight engineers enable us to sustain it with unmatched quality and precision.”

Boeing has continuously supported the guidance, ground, propulsion and re-entry subsystems, according to the company, since it was fielded in 1970.

Northrop Grumman is developing the Sentinel ICBM system, which will replace the aging Minuteman. Initial operational capability for Sentinel is expected in 2029.