Lockheed has received a one-year subcontract from Northrop for the refurbishment of re-entry vehicles for the US Air Force’s (USAF) Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system.

Under the $12.5m subcontract, the company will replace components, refurbish and test the arming and fusing assemblies of the missile system.

The subcontract also includes an option for a second year.

The company is a principal teammate and the original equipment manufacturer for the assembly to Northrop, the ICBM prime integration contractor, for the USAF.

An ICBM is a ballistic missile with a long range and is designed for delivering one or more nuclear warheads.