The U.S. Air Force has started to gather resources and funds to test a new intercontinental ballistic missile fleet as part of the branch’s modernization effort, Defense News reported Tuesday.Aaron Mehta writes the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center already sought to designate the Ground Base Strategic Deterrent program as “very large†to merit extra budget for the testing requirements.
Defense News reports the Air Force will include the “very large” designation in the service’s fiscal year 2018 budget request.
The Air Force intends for the new fleet to replace the Minuteman III ICBM program, according to the report.
The program will kick off tests after five-to-six years, Mehta reports.
