June 22, 2017 Programmed Depot Maintenance: A major milestone in Minuteman III sustainment Since the first Minuteman I came on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles have been the cornerstone of America’s nuclear deterrent force. Designed for a 10-year life, the Minuteman III is still going strong after more than 45 years as the
May 23, 2017 AFNWC receives Air Force Organizational Excellence award The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center received the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for the fourth time since the center stood up in 2006. The four awards span seven consecutive years, from 2009 through 2015.Ensuring U.S. nuclear weapons are “never doubted and always feared,” AFNWC
April 17, 2017 AFNWC team supports ICBM test launch A team of Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center experts supported the recent launch of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile to verify its accuracy and reliability, providing valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
April 13, 2017 Inert nuclear gravity bomb passes first F-16 flight test An Air Force F-16 aircraft released an inert B61 nuclear bomb in a test recently, demonstrating the aircraft's capability to deliver the weapon and testing the functioning of the weapon's non-nuclear components, including the arming and fire control system, radar altimeter, spin rocket motors and
Feb. 21, 2017 AFNWC honors annual award winners The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center announced its annual award winners at a ceremony Feb. 2 at the Kirtland Air Force Base Mountain View Club.The Kirtland winners are:Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year — Staff Sgt. Joshua McMillan; Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate at
Jan. 19, 2017 Air-launched cruise missile passes tests Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircrews recently tested three unarmed AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles, demonstrating the bomber force’s ability to configure, load, fly and deliver the nation’s only nuclear cruise missile. The B-52H aircrews departed Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, for the
Nov. 10, 2016 New members inducted into Order of the Nucleus The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center inducted six new members into its prestigious Order of the Nucleus on Nov. 4.
Sept. 1, 2016 AF reaches first milestone in acquisition of new ICBM The Air Force received approval on August 23 for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program to start the next phase of its acquisition effort.With this formal Defense Acquisition System “Milestone A” approval, the GBSD program enters the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase of its effort
Sept. 1, 2016 AFNWC delivers updated reentry vehicle training simulators for maintainers Air Force technicians maintaining nuclear reentry vehicle systems will soon have upgraded training simulators to help them succeed in their mission of strategic deterrence.Thanks to a joint effort between the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and Air Force Global Strike Command, technicians
July 29, 2016 AF releases request for proposal for nuclear air-launched cruise missile replacement The Air Force released July 29 a request for proposals to industry for its Long Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile program; up to two contract awards are expected in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.