Air Force Awards TRW $215 Million Contract for ICBM Motors

SPACEWAR

The PRP program is designed to replace aging solid-rocket motors in the Minuteman III force with remanufactured motors to maintain alert readiness status through 2020. Under the completed PRP Technology Insertion contract, which preceded the LRIP phase, two flight tests were conducted by the Air Force with remanufactured Minuteman III boosters.

Clearfield - Oct 23, 2001
The U.S. Air Force this month awarded TRW Inc. (NYSE: TRW) a $215 million contract to begin the full-rate production phase of the ICBM propulsion replacement program (PRP).

This is the first of six full-rate production options to be exercised by the Air Force ICBM Systems Project Office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Total value of the PRP production program is $1.56 billion over eight years.

This award follows a September Milestone III decision by the Air Force Acquisition Executive to proceed with PRP based on a successful low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract, managed by TRW, that demonstrated the readiness of the program to move forward.

"The successful performance of our booster modernization program over the past several years has assured the Air Force it can move forward with full- rate production," said Dr. Donald C. Winter, president and chief executive officer, TRW Systems.

"TRW and its propulsion contractor teammates will continue to deliver 607 PRP solid rocket motor sets to the Air Force by 2008 to replace the aging propulsion systems in the nation's fleet of Minuteman III missiles."

In October 1999, TRW entered a low-rate initial production contract with the Air Force to deliver 42 remanufactured motor sets -- or stages 1, 2, and 3 -- the first of which was deployed to Malmstrom Air Force Base in April 2001.

Under contract to TRW, Alliant Technology (ATK) Thiokol Propulsion Co., and Pratt & Whitney's Chemical Systems Division (CSD) formed a joint-venture propulsion team to produce the motors. Thiokol and CSD are remanufacturing the motors, replacing the propellant and obsolete or environmentally unsafe materials and components.

Under its ICBM prime contract, TRW is also responsible for managing the Guidance Replacement Program (GRP), together with its teammate The Boeing Company. GRP, which went into full-rate production in December 1999, extends the life of the Minuteman III guidance system.

TRW's other ICBM responsibilities include the Propulsion System Rocket Engine Life Extension Program, an effort that will refurbish the liquid propulsion stage (4th stage) of the Minuteman III missile to extend its life beyond 2020; and the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communication Network program to upgrade launch control communication.

Since 1954, TRW has served as systems engineering and technical advisor to the Air Force in managing the ICBM fleet. In December 1997, TRW's role changed as it won the prime integration contract, which reflected major changes in the management of the fleet.

Previously, the ICBM Systems Project Office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, directed a number of associate contractors that provided various elements of the ICBM system; TRW provided technical support to the SPO. Under the new contract -- now underway for nearly 4 years -- TRW is the prime contractor managing the total ICBM system and the integrated team of contractors.

TRW provides advanced technology products and services for the aerospace, information systems and automotive markets. The company, which is celebrating its 100th year of operation during 2001, had year-end 2000 sales of $17.2 billion.

SPACEWAR

Russians Tested New Type Of Ballistic Missile: Report

Washington (AFP) July 30 2001
Russia tested a long-range missile two weeks ago that included as its final stage a new high-speed cruise missile designed to beat US missile defenses, the Washington Times reported Monday, citing intelligence sources.

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