Collins Aerospace to build secondary launch platform for next-gen US nukes
Secondary Launch Platform-Airborne forms part of GBSD engineering and manufacturing development
Collins Aerospace has been selected by prime contractor Northrop Grumman to deliver the launch platform for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) ICBM modernisation programme.
The value of the contract and timeframe for completion were undisclosed.
In supporting the GBSD engineering and manufacturing development phase, Collins Aerospace will lead the Secondary Launch Platform-Airborne (SLP-A) effort.
This replaces the Airborne Launch Control System capability used on the Minuteman III system since the 1970s, the company noted on 9 November.
Heather Robertson, vice-president and general manager of Collins Aerospace, said: ‘The SLP-A is a comprehensive nuclear command and control solution which we’re developing to meet the needs of the modern battlespace.’
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