nuclear-news

Vandenberg Conducts Test Launch for Development of New Weapon System

by Janene Scully | Noozhawk North County Editor, June 18, 2024 

A Minotaur I rocket launch late Monday night at Vandenberg Space Force Base tested a new re-entry vehicle, which carries the warhead, under development for the Air Force for the intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system.

The Minotaur I rocket equipped with an unarmed Mk21A reentry vehicle blasted off at 11:01 p.m. flying over the Pacific Ocean as Vandenberg officials remained mostly mum about the mission beyond issuing a warning notices for boaters and pilots. Vandenberg officials finally released vague details a few hours before the launch window opened Monday night……………………………

The Air Force has contracted with Lockheed Martin for the Mk21A engineering and manufacturing development phase. 

Once deemed fully operational, the Mk21A RV will be integrated on the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system. 

The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, based in New Mexico, is currently spearheading development of Mk21A. …………

Northrop Grumman equipped the rocket with modern flight-proven avionics and other subsystems to produce what the military calls “cost-effective, responsive launch vehicles to support missile defense testing and other suborbital applications.” 

A similar test took place two years ago, but ended in failure 11 seconds after launch from Vandenberg.

The Air Force is developing a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile under the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent weapons system, also known as Sentinel………………………………. more https://www.noozhawk.com/vandenberg-conducts-test-launch-for-development-of-new-weapon-system/

June 20, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, weapons and war