(U) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is responsible for the direction and management of the ICBM FOT&E program.  The objective of the program is to monitor and measure the ongoing capabilities of the ICBM weapon systems for accuracy and reliability.  The ICBM FOT&E program is vital for assessing these capabilities throughout the life of the weapon system.  The ICBM System Program Office (SPO) at OO-ALC provides the technical and logistical support to AFSPC to carry out the FOT&E program objectives.

Description: (U)
(U) AFSPC selects three Minuteman and three Peacekeeper missiles each year from the deployed force for flight testing purposes.  The field representative missiles are shipped to Vandenberg AFB where they are launched from the Western Range and flown to impact locations near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.  As an integral part of the FOT&E program, the total performance of the weapon system is measured to assure that specifications and requirements for each system and subsystem are being met.  The ICBM SPO is the supporting command to assure that FOT&E objectives are met.  For any missile deficiencies that are identified, technical solutions are provided by the ICBM SPO.  The ICBM SPO is also responsible for the yearly preparation and submission of the Weapon System Effectiveness Report for ICBMs, which is submitted to AFSPC, HQ USAF, and DoD agencies.  The FOT&E program provides key inputs to this assessment report.

(U)  In parallel with the ICBM flight test program, weapon system ground tests are accomplished on a continuing basis.  The ICBM SPO provides technical support to weapon system ground tests which include the Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman/Peacekeeper (SELM/P) field ground tests, Olympic Play field ground tests, and Aging Surveillance tests.  The information obtained from these ground tests enable a complete assessment of the weapon systems to be made by the ICBM SPO.

User Impact: (U)
(U) Without the ICBM SPO supporting the ICBM FOT&E program, a complete ongoing assessment of the Minuteman and Peacekeeper weapon systems would not be maintained, thereby jeopardizing the entire weapon system by failing to identify trends that may require repair or replacement prior to the weapon system falling out of specification.  Technical and logistical support of the missile systems for FOT&E would not be continued, and the effectiveness and purposes of the FOT&E program would not be fulfilled.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) AFSPC: Funding Source.
		(U) AFSPC receives Western Range testing support from the Kwajalein Missile Range which is operated by the U.S. Army as well as the Pacific Missile Range (PMR) and Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), which are operated by the U.S. Navy.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) MM Guidance Replacement Prog, MM III Sustainment/Deactivation, MM Propulsion Replacement Prog, PK Sustainment/Deactivation

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) ICBM Sustainment

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) FORCE APPLICATION.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
02 February 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)