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Hill AFB celebrates completion of 100th Minuteman III stage three case

  • Published
  • By G. A. Volb
  • Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Three years after a plant explosion destroyed the original Minuteman III stage three “housing” facility, the ICBM sustainment program here observed a milestone July 13 at the Freeport Center in nearby Clearfield.

The landmark occasion highlighted the completion of the 100th Minuteman III stage three case since the new production facility went into operation in 2005. The cases, according to 526th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Wing Commander Col. Robert Shofner, are “very much like the outside of a sausage – except they keep high explosives inside the booster.”

“The milestone is significant due to the short time ATK Space Systems and Sensors has worked on stage three cases,” said 1st Lt. Joseph Clapsaddle, 526th ICBM Systems Wing Propulsion Replacement Program lead production manager. The new stage three case is an essential component to remanufacture the stage three motor and, finally, deliver a refurbished booster to the war fighter.

Added Colonel Shofner, “The overall propulsion replacement program is about extending the life of Minuteman III and the third stage is part of the booster. The third stage is a critical part of the booster as the last component that boosts the missile into a ballistic trajectory.”

ATK is responsible for refurbishing components and replacing propellant on all three Minuteman III stages through 2009, according to Scott Lehr, vice president of Air Force Programs for ATK’s Launch Systems Group in Magna, Utah.

“The Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program initially began in 1998 as a joint venture between ATK and Pratt and Whitney, but the entire workload transitioned to ATK in 2003-2004 following a contractual restructure,” said Mr. Lehr.

Now, ATK puts the final touches on stage III motors at their Magna plant, while building the case or housing in their Clearfield facility. It’s all part of a $541-million contract ATK Launch Systems has with the primary contractor Northrop Grumman and the 526th ICBM Systems Wing here to extend the service life of Minuteman IIIs.

“We’re ecstatic with what they’ve done getting to full rate and in overcoming the challenges that have come up,” said Colonel Shofner. “But the real measure is what our warfighters think. And they are extremely pleased with the boosters and our ability to maintain a predictable schedule.”

Lieutenant Clapsaddle added that the “team’s focus on quality has been astounding … delivering more cases, on time or ahead of schedule, and with fewer discrepancies.”