The U.S. Air Force is seeking a contractor to provide surveillance and testing of retired U.S. Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) motors so that they can be used for other purposes, including space launch vehicles, according to a June 18 posting on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has an inventory of first-, second- and third-stage ICBM motors that require continual engineering and analysis to ensure their flightworthiness. These motors provide propulsion for Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Minotaur family of rockets used to launch small payloads for the Air Force.
Under the five year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, the winning bidder will be required to conduct diagnostic tests to determine the condition of the motors and to maintain a static fire capability for the third-stage motors. Responses are due to the Air Force by July 19.
