The first revamped Peacekeeper warhead (MK21 re-entry vehicle) has been deployed on a Minuteman III ICBM, according to a Northrop Grumman release. (We now find that the first SERV deployment took place in October 2006. The Air Force says it has since fielded several—actual number withheld—more.) The feat required a “major revision” on the Minuteman software, under the Safety Enhanced Re-entry Vehicle program. USAF expects to have its entire 500-strong MMIII fleet upgraded by 2012, extending the service life of the ICBMs to 2020.
President Joe Biden previewed $800 million in new defense assistance to Ukraine, including “a new advanced Western air defense system,” in closing a NATO summit in Madrid that saw formal invitations offered to Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Also during the historic summit, mention of China was added…