Boeing has announced that it has delivered the final upgraded missile guidance set (MGS) for the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to the U.S. Air Force, completing 82 months - or nearly seven years - of consecutive on-time or early deliveries.

Boeing made the final delivery two months ahead of schedule. The milestone was highlighted at a Dec. 11 ceremony attended by representatives of the Air Force, Boeing and ICBM prime contractor Northrop Grumman.

Boeing performed the MGS upgrade under the ICBM Guidance Replacement Program (GRP), a modernization effort to replace and upgrade the 1970s-vintage navigational electronics in the Minuteman III. Boeing began production of the new electronic sets in 1998.

"The Boeing team has worked closely with the Air Force and Northrop Grumman to provide on-time delivery to the warfighter throughout the program," said Charles Dutch, Boeing GRP director. "Their efforts have extended the service life of the Minuteman III MGS through 2020."

"The GRP has grown to be one of the most successful programs in the Air Force," said Sam McCrea, acting program manager, GRP, 526th ICBM Systems Group. "The men and women of Boeing are proud of what they build, and it shows in the performance of each and every MGS on alert today."

"The upgraded MGS is demonstrating important cost savings and flexibility to the U.S. Air Force," said Dutch. "The Boeing team has developed a system that is safer and easier to maintain and support. We're prepared to support the Air Force by making any required future updates for this important strategic deterrent."

The Boeing Heath facility will continue to provide repair, test and calibration services for the ICBM guidance system. The facility also performs repairs and spares work on Air Force aircraft navigation systems, the Airborne Warning and Control System Electronic Support Measures antenna radio frequency processor, and several other aircraft subsystems.

GRP is one of the major ICBM upgrade programs designed to help modernize and maintain the reliability, safety and security of the U.S. force of land-based Minuteman III missiles. The ICBM prime team has successfully maintained force readiness while implementing several complex upgrades to extend the missile's service life.

Boeing has played a key role in ICBM development, design, production and maintenance since Minuteman I was conceptualized in 1958. The company holds the distinction of being the only U.S. Air Force ICBM guidance system integration contractor for more than 50 years, not only on the Minuteman series of ballistic missiles but also on the Peacekeeper and Small ICBM.