Northrop Grumman officials say the recent static test fire of a technology demonstrator motor for the Minuteman III ICBM was successful and heralds arrival of a motor that could “greatly improve performance, range, and affordability” of the MMIII. Northrop credited teammate Alliant Tech Systems with designing and building the motor, as part of more than 50 programs managed by Northrop to aid USAF improvements to the nation’s lone ICBM.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.