GBSD = Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.
First from the Russian media outlet RT. Think also cost-effective?
1. "US Air Force destroys ICBM after ‘anomaly’ during test launch"
"A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] test ended in failure when the projectile was ordered to self-destruct due to an 'anomaly' that developed during the flight, the US Air Force has confirmed."
A NORMAL AND PERIODIC TEST OF MINUTEMAN III ICBM GOES AWRY. MISSILE DESTRUCTS WHEN LAUNCHED AND AIRBORNE. THIS IS UNCOMMON BUT DOES OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME.
Second thanks to the tip from RT that successor to Minuteman III in the works? GBSD?
2. "New ICBM Cheaper Than Upgraded Minuteman: Boeing On GBSD"
That article from Breaking Defense by Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
"ARLINGTON: A brand-new ICBM may cost the nation more than $85 billion, but keeping the geriatric Minuteman will cost even more. That’s according to Boeing, the aerospace giant that began building the original Minuteman I in 1958 and has maintained the much-modified Minuteman III since 1970."
Minuteman III that part of the Nuclear Triad as it is called. Ground-based nuclear deterrent persuasive. A missile and system quite ancient [original program began in 1966!] now. A replacement is in the works?
EASIER AND CHEAPER TO BUILD AND PLACE INTO THE INVENTORY A NEW ICBM THAN ENDLESSLY MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE MINUTEMAN III? THIS IS THE QUESTION?
coolbert.