Next-generation US nuke programme passes baseline review
The the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent engineering and manufacturing development programme has passed a baseline review. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Completion of the Integrated Baseline Review puts the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent on track for IOC by 2029, says lead contractor Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman announced on 7 April that it has passed a ‘critical milestone’ by completing the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) programme.
The review sets a benchmark for performance measurement of GBSD and keeps the programme on track for IOC with the USAF by 2029, the company added.
Using the W87 mod 1 thermonuclear warhead, GBSD will replace the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
‘Given the sheer size and importance of schedule integration, we had to be agile in meeting this critical milestone; there is no margin for delay,’ said Steve Lunny, VP of the GBSD programme at Northrop Grumman.
This agility is enabled by adopting digital engineering principles to ‘model and authenticate virtual designs and significantly shorten development timelines’, the company stated. As a result, GBSD is designated as an e-Series programme by the USAF.
Northrop Grumman leads an EMD team including Aerojet Rocketdyne, Bechtel, Clark, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin and Textron Systems, as well as hundreds of SMEs in the defence industry.
The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center awarded the team a $13.29 billion EMD contract in September 2020.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
