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Preparation for remanufacturing all three Minuteman III stages has been underway for three years. The purpose of the Propulsion Replacement Program is to replace the current motors before age-related degradation impacts the operational status of the missiles and to extend the propulsion life of the missiles beyond the year 2020. Major changes to meet the 20-plus-year objectives include implementing current technologies into the Stage 1 motor, removing materials that no longer meet environmental standards, and replacing aged ordnance.
"The Minuteman Stage 1 has been a real success story. The motor had a design life of 10 years, but in real terms its service life has gone beyond 30 years on average without significant performance degradation," said Winston Brundige, vice president and general manager of Thiokol’s Defense and Launch Vehicles of the Propulsion Group. "The current tests will allow us to verify our processes 19 years after the first stage was last produced and certify new materials and components to be used in the motor remanufacturing process."
To remanufacture today’s test motor, Thiokol engineers utilized a combination of original tooling as well as modification to existing facility tooling. Most of the original processes were converted to reflect current operating procedures and systems. All remanufacturing processes and procedures are being verified during the motor test series.
"Today’s test demonstrates we are on our way to a successful propulsion modernization program," said Carroll Bobb, Thiokol’s program director. "The insertion of new materials and components are necessary for increased safety and regard for the environment. Obsolescence and supplier changes are contributing factors driving the remanufacturing process, but ultimately it will be much more cost effective for Thiokol to support the Minuteman system in the future."
The Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been the mainstay of U.S. strategic defense for almost four decades. Five hundred Minuteman III ICBMs are still in underground silos today in accordance with current treaty provisions.
Thiokol was a major partner in the development and manufacture of all three Minuteman systems. Nearly 3,000 first stage motors were manufactured by the Company during a 19-year period beginning in 1958.
Personnel from the U.S. Air Force Systems Program Office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and their System Engineering contractor, TRW Inc., were involved in the successful test firing.
Thiokol Corporation (TKC-NYSE) is a major producer of solid propulsion systems, ordnance, composite products, and is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance proprietary fasteners and installation systems. Thiokol also holds a 49 percent interest in Howmet Corporation, a manufacturer of aircraft and industrial gas turbine engine components.
Steve Lawson
Public Relations
(801) 629-2255
lawsos@thiokol.com