New SLV, ICBM commonality

An interesting item found at
http://nucnews.net/nucnews/2003nn/03...1007nn.htm#100



USAF Eyes Nuclear, Sat Program Link
By JEREMY SINGER
07 October, 2003
Defense News
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2255892&C=ushd
[EXCERPTS]

The U.S. Air Force's effort to replace its ground-based nuclear
missile arsenal by 2020 likely will be closely linked with a push
to develop low-cost rockets that put satellites into orbit quickly.

Close coordination between the programs is necessary to keep costs
down, said Col. Rick Patenaude, chief of the deterrence and strike
division at Air Force Space Command. It is possible due to the fact
that intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and so-called
quick-reaction satellite launchers employ similar technology.

"We can't afford to build new platforms with blinders on,"
Patenaude said in a telephone interview. "We have to think of
multiple uses for new platforms."

The money that can be saved by coordinating the ICBM and launcher
efforts will be determined in studies that will take place over
the next few years, said Brig. Gen. Simon "Pete" Worden, who is
shepherding the satellite launcher work as the service's director
of transformation.

"Clearly, if you do your technology and basic development to
meet two different goals, it saves a lot of money," Worden said
in a brief interview Sept. 23 at the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics Space 2003 conference in Long Beach,
Calif.

The new ICBM likely will build on technology developed under
the launch vehicle effort, which has more of a near-term focus
with demonstrations planned for later this decade, Patenaude
said.

Just as the early space launch vehicles evolved from ICBM
technology, the next ICBM may evolve from a new satellite launcher,
he said.

RFPs Go Out

Air Force Space Command on Sept. 8 issued requests for information
from industry on concepts for the new Land Based Strategic
Deterrent. The solicitations broke the project into three areas:
the delivery vehicle; security systems; and command, control,
communications and computers.

The Air Force will begin evaluating industry concepts in late
November, and has budgeted about $5 million in both 2004 and 2005
for early development work, Patenaude said. The service anticipates
starting a competition to build the new system around 2006, with
deployment targeted for 2018, he said.

....

While Patenaude declined to speculate on possible concepts, he
said the Air Force is not wedded to a new system based in silos,
as is the case with today's ICBM fleet. Alternatives could
include mobile bases, according to the Air Force solicitation
notices.

The Air Force could choose to field a family of systems with
different ranges, accuracies and other capabilities, Patenaude said.

....


Worden said he sees little problem with using a common rocket for
satellites and nuclear warheads.

"We've done that for 40 years," Worden said. "Essentially, every
U.S. launch vehicle other than the shuttle is a direct derivative
of the ICBM."

Patenaude said the Air Force could help distinguish small
launchers from ICBMs by giving each a unique signature that
can be tracked by other nations.