The president’s pick to serve as the next Air Force chief of staff said Thursday that the service is two weeks away from putting out a request for proposals regarding the intercontinental ballistic missile replacement.
Gen. David Goldfein appeared at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and faced questions about when the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent system would be delivered.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said a milestone decision expected earlier this year had been delayed.
“I worry that this is inconsistent with the president’s commitment and could delay the fielding of these critical replacements,” Cotton said.
But Goldfein said he is committed to fielding the newest leg of the nuclear triad and said that the program would reach its milestone A decision in August, which gives approval to begin the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of acquisition.
“We’re still on track to meet that. We’re expecting to put out a request for proposal out to industry within the next two weeks,” Goldfein said.
The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent will replace the aging intercontinental ballistic missiles, which make up one leg of the nuclear triad in addition to air-launched and submarine-launched missiles.
The Air Force is looking to reach initial operating capability with the new system by 2027, according to an Inside Defense report.
