ICBM Reentry Vehicles

Mission — Mk21A Reentry Vehicle source

The Mk21A Reentry Vehicle (RV) program will design, develop, produce, and deploy an integrated RV capable of delivering the W87-1 warhead when released from the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system. The Mk21A program will provide needed performance and security enhancements over the Mk21 RV to meet the upgraded requirements for the Department of Energy (DOE)/ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) W87-1 warhead, while ensuring the time certain delivery of both the W87-1 and Mk21A programs. The Mk21A will also meet the requirements laid out in the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system Capability Development Document (CDD) as directed by Air Force Global Strike Command. The Mk21A RV includes: shape-stable nose tip; high-impulse transducer; arming and fuzing subsystem (AFS); aeroshell forward section, body section, and rear cover; radio frequency subsystem with antennas; RV spin subsystem; in-flight disconnect cable; and other electrical cables. During the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, the Mk21A program will include prime contractor development of a critical RV design, applicable support equipment, data, flight test hardware, infrastructure, and training materials while examining and mitigating weapon system integration risks, nuclear surety, hardness and certification, and system vulnerability assessments. Additionally, the program, in conjunction with the DOE/NNSA, will develop test assets to ensure the integration and qualification of the Mk21A and W87-1 on the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system. IAW 10 USC 4252, this program has not yet fully satisfied the certification requirement that the heatshield technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment as required prior to Milestone B approval. The Mk21A uses similar materials and process as currently fielded and the program performed a successful flight test in 3QFY24. The program provided a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) update to SAF/AQR in April 2025 after analysis of flight test data was completed; final decision anticipated 3QFY25. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this budget program activity code (BPAC), and in FY 2025 0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this BPAC.

Mission — ICBM Reentry Vehicles source

The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Reentry Vehicles (RVs) activity will design, develop, produce, and deploy advanced countermeasures and integrated RV systems capable of delivering the W87-1 warhead and future warheads when released from ICBM weapon systems. The Mk21A program will meet the requirements laid out in the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system Capability Development Document (CDD) as directed by Air Force Global Strike Command and will provide needed performance and security enhancements over the Mk21 RV to meet the upgraded requirements for the Department of Energy (DOE)/ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) W87-1 warhead. The Mk21A RV includes: shape-stable nose tip; high-impulse transducer; arming and fuzing subsystem (AFS); aeroshell forward section, body section, and rear cover; radio frequency subsystem with antennas; RV spin subsystem; in-flight disconnect cable; and other electrical cables. The Next Generation Reentry Capabilities (NGRC) program will ensure ICBM weapon systems continue to meet reentry performance requirements in an evolving threat landscape by leveraging advanced technologies matured by the Research & Development (R&D) and ICBM Demonstration/Validation communities in support of the Air Force's Reentry Vehicle Strategy. Future NGRC solutions will include acquisition and integration of complementary advanced countermeasures and Next Generation Reentry Vehicle (NGRV). The FY 2026 request for ICBM Reentry Vehicles includes 259,605 thousand of discretionary and 100,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of 359,605 thousand. The mandatory funds continue advancing major RV acquisition activities. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20008 (Nuclear) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 1.249M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 5.104M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. All FY 2024 and 2025 civilian pay expenses will be executed in BPAC 675920 - Next Generation Reentry Capabilities. This program element utilized FY24 4.325M for a Rapid Acquisition Authority requirement. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Next Generation Reentry Capabilities source

The Next Generation Reentry Capabilities (NGRC) program will design, develop, produce, and deploy new payload system suites (reentry vehicles and/or countermeasures) and integrate them into ICBM weapon systems. Key next generation payload attributes include enhancements in accuracy and lethality. Next Generation Reentry Vehicle (NGRV) and advanced countermeasure capabilities are based on emerging threats, warfighter priorities, and development capacity. Program activities will also include the employment of digital acquisitions through the application of digital engineering, agile software development, and open systems architectures. The NGRC program will leverage investments by the ICBM Demonstration/Validation program, the Science & Technology community, and Navy reentry systems application program. FY2026 funding supports early acquisition activities that lead to competitive contract awards. NGRC will continue its early concept, acquisition and integration studies to strengthen the atrophied industrial base, posturing the nation and to counter adversary threats both projected and unforeseen. This strategy enables a diverse pool of vendors to contribute in the development of materiel solutions which support mission requirements that combat future and immediate threats to drive ultimate effectiveness requirements for the weapon system. This funding includes program management support, operational concept exploration, technology trade studies, operational and system architecture development, maturation and risk reduction of RV/countermeasure-related technologies, including weapons system and integrated system concept development/demonstration. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 1.249M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this budget program activity code (BPAC), and in FY 2025 5.104M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this BPAC.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)