GBSD News

Vandenberg AFB chosen as preferred location for GBSD FTU

April 1, 2021

Acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth selected Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as the preferred location for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, Formal Training Unit. 

US Senator Jon Tester delivers opening remarks at Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Virtual

March 2021

Sen Jon Tester–Opening Remarks–ANWA DC Forum on GBSD and ICBM Modernization.

Ground Based Strategic Deterrent: USAF Video

March 29, 2021

Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, or GBSD, is the next generation ICBM under development. A Megaproject, equivalent to 15 Defense Department programs in scope, design, development, certification and deployment…it will recapitalize or modernize 400 missiles, 450 silos, more than 600 facilities across almost 40,000 square miles of US territory, over 6 states, 3 operational wings and a test location. (Video By Staff Sergeant Franklin Harris)

Heritage Report: Nuclear Modernization Is Our Top Defense Priority, and America Can Afford It

March 25, 2021

After years of deferring nuclear modernization, the United States is now forced to take on multiple modernization projects all at once. This includes modernizing the three legs of the nuclear triad—land-, air-, and sea-based systems—as well as all nuclear warheads in the U.S. stockpile and their supporting infrastructure.

Heritage Report: Extending New START Makes U.S. Nuclear Modernization Imperative

March 16, 2021

The United States has extended the flawed New START agreement with Russia for five years—receiving not a single reform for its agreement to extend. The New START extension does not equate to nuclear stability, and the U.S. should not expect it to moderate Russia’s aggressive behavior. Russia and China will continue to advance their nuclear forces as part of their strategies for implementing their respective revisionist agendas. The United States must not become lulled into a false sense of security offered by another five years of New START; instead, the Biden Administration, with Congress, must remain committed to ensuring the credibility of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and assurance of allies.

New Threats Demand Nuclear Modernization

March 2, 2021

Nuclear modernization is an imperative, because the strategic environment has evolved dramatically since the last century, with more and different kinds of existential threats, senior U.S. military  leaders said at AFA’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium.

Facts Matter, Especially for Nuclear Policy

January 21, 2021

Every new Administration since Dwight Eisenhower's has undertaken a new look at U.S. nuclear policy.  As the Biden Administration follows in its predecessors' footsteps, it must distinguish between fact and false narratives.

Air Force Acquisition Executive Unveils Next E-Plane, Publishes Digital Engineering Guidebook

January 19, 2021

“A-10 Re-wing Program, B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, and Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent have all met the e-Series bar,” Roper wrote. “They all leveraged authoritative virtualizations to significantly replace or truncate real-word activities, and have achieved paradigm-shifting performance.”

Work Progressing on Next-Gen ICBM Program

January 16, 2021

Progress is well on its way on the next generation intercontinental ballistic missile program to replace the existing one at Minot Air Force Base and two other Air Force bases.

Minuteman III Missiles Are Too Old to Upgrade Anymore, STRATCOM Chief Says

January 6, 2021

The aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles that have formed the land-based leg of the nation's nuclear deterrent triad for half a century can no longer be upgraded and require costly replacements, Adm. Charles Richard, head of U.S. Strategic Command, said Tuesday.

“Let me be very clear: You cannot life-extend the Minuteman III [any longer],” he said of the 400 ICBMs that sit in underground silos across five states in the upper Midwest.

Our Allies Need US To Modernize Nuke Triad: Gen. Ray

December 10, 2020

The US nuclear triad looms large “in the minds of our partners and allies,” he said. “The extended deterrence provided to them by the American triad is an important part of their strategic calculus. We can’t on our own, just in isolation or unilaterally, change that equation and be responsible partners and allies.”

Why We Need a New ICBM by Maj. Shane Praiswater

December 7, 2020

A failure to modernize the ICBM fleet would leave the United States vulnerable as its adversaries reinforce their nuclear triads.

Next-Gen Nuclear Missile Viewed as Pathfinder

December 4, 2020

The Pentagon’s effort to acquire new intercontinental ballistic missiles is being touted as a program that could serve as a model for future modernization initiatives. The project faces a tight schedule with little margin for hiccups.

Department of the Air Force awards contract for new ICBM system that enhances, strengthens US Triad

Sept. 8, 2020

The Department of the Air Force awarded an Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program to Northrop Grumman on Sept. 8.

Keep modernization of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program on track

June 2020

The triad has been the foundation of U.S. national security policy for over 60 years, providing stability to America’s global military operations and diplomacy efforts. The triad — and the security umbrella it extends to our allies and partners — has fostered decades of peace and prosperity. Nuclear deterrence has successfully prevented crises from escalating to conflicts and promoted cooperation and diplomacy in resolving disputes.

Air Force reviews preliminary design for future ICBM

May 15, 2020

The Air Force reviewed Northrop Grumman’s preliminary design for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent in late April, advancing the program toward its next milestone and acquisition phase.