OREANDA-NEWS. August 26, 2014. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a USD 6.4 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop and evaluate architecture options for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) guidance modernization.

Under the contract, General Dynamics will conduct performance analyses and develop test strategies and lifecycle support plans for the next-generation missile guidance set architecture. The study results will provide the Air Force with the necessary input to determine the direction for the next phase of this program to ensure compatibility with the Minuteman III and future ICBM weapon systems.

“Leveraging our in-depth mission knowledge and approach to open architecture, we look forward to providing the Air Force with the most comprehensive evaluation of solutions to achieve an affordable, easy-to-produce and sustainable guidance system,” said Lisa Finneran, vice president of Critical Mission Systems at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

General Dynamics’ open architecture and open business model approach will allow the team to assess the critical nuclear systems and develop an incremental modernization plan that provides the greatest capability in the most efficient manner possible. Additionally, the team’s extensive experience in the design, deployment and sustainment of the guidance systems for the Polaris, Poseidon, Trident I and Trident II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), will enable General Dynamics to apply best practices and lessons learned from these key programs directly to the Air Force’s ICBM mission.