The 341st Missile Wing recently conducted a simulated launch of a Minuteman III ICBM at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Conducted twice annually, the Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman “is meant to exercise the weapon and its command signals in its operationally deployed location,” said Lt. Col. Suzanne Sauls, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron commander. Since Minuteman test shots are conducted at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., SELMs are required to effectively measure the responsiveness of the silos, networks, and facilities at operational missile bases. “It’s nice to see it all culminate to that one moment where you can verify that the wing’s mission will succeed,” affirmed Sauls, following the successful evaluation, which took place Oct. 18-20. F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., conducted a SELM in August, making Giant Pace 11-2M the final Minuteman test of this nature this year. (Malmstrom report by Amn. Cortney Paxton)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.