The US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) has delivered updated re-entry vehicle training simulators for maintainers at the Air Force Global Strike Command.
Technicians maintaining nuclear re-entry vehicle systems will train with the simulators that resemble the operational MK12A re-entry vehicles they currently work with.
AFNWC's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programme office delivered the first two of ten improved MK12A re-entry vehicle training simulators to Air Force Global Strike Command in August this year.
The upgraded equipment is said to provide a higher fidelity experience for the technicians sustaining the nuclear warheads in the Air Force’s inventory.
AFNWC ICBM Systems Directorate director colonel Scott Jones said: “With this updated training equipment, our Airmen will be better prepared to sustain the MK12A re-entry vehicle in the field and perform their strategic nuclear deterrence mission.
“Our personnel are proud to deliver these updated simulators because our focus is always on supporting the warfighters.”
Last year, Lockheed Martin was contracted to upgrade all of the re-entry vehicle training simulators.
Under the contract, three operational Minuteman III wings at Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB), Montana; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Minot AFB, North Dakota, as well as a test flight unit at Vandenberg AFB, California, and a training unit at Sheppard AFB, Texas, will receive fully functional, updated MK12A re-entry-vehicle training simulators.
Nearly 500 personnel in the AFNWC's ICBM Systems Directorate focus on the lifecycle management of the current Minuteman III and future ICBM weapons systems.
The directorate develops, acquires and supports silo-based ICBMs, as well as provides logistics support to the warfighters.
Image: The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and Air Force Global Strike Command updated training simulators for MK12A reentry vehicles. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force.
