Editing LGM-30 Minuteman (section)

== Replacement ==
A request for proposal for development and maintenance of a [[Ground Based Strategic Deterrent]] (GBSD) next-generation nuclear ICBM, was made by the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, ICBM Systems Directorate, GBSD Division on 29 July 2016. The GBSD would replace MMIII in the land-based portion of the US Nuclear Triad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_Ready_to_Design_Next_Generation_of_US_Nuclear_Missiles_999.html|title=Boeing Ready to Design Next Generation of US Nuclear Missiles|website=spacedaily.com|access-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806202402/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_Ready_to_Design_Next_Generation_of_US_Nuclear_Missiles_999.html|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The new missile to be phased in over a decade from the late 2020s are estimated over a fifty-year life cycle to cost around $86 billion. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman were competing for the contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/US_Air_Force_set_to_replace_intercontinental_nuke_arsenal_999.html|title=US Air Force set to replace intercontinental nuke arsenal|website=spacedaily.com|access-date=26 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928160652/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/US_Air_Force_set_to_replace_intercontinental_nuke_arsenal_999.html|archive-date=28 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 21 August 2017, the US Air Force awarded 3-year development contracts to Boeing and Northrop Grumman, for $349 million and $329 million, respectively.<ref>Aaron Gregg ''Washington Post'' (21 August 2017) "Pentagon narrows competition for the next big U.S. nuclear missile"</ref> One of these companies will be selected to produce this ground-based nuclear ICBM in 2020. In 2027, the GBSD program is expected to enter service and remain active until 2075.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_Northrop_Grumman_receive_development_contracts_for_new_ICBM_999.html|title=Boeing, Northrop Grumman receive development contracts for new ICBM|website=spacedaily.com|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823205723/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Boeing_Northrop_Grumman_receive_development_contracts_for_new_ICBM_999.html|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 December 2019, it was announced that Northrop Grumman had won the competition to build the future ICBM. Northrop won by default, as their bid was at the time the only bid left to be considered for the GBSD program (Boeing had dropped out of the bidding contest earlier in 2019). The US Air Force stated that it would "proceed with an aggressive and effective sole-source negotiation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/northrop-grumman-wins-competition-to-build-future-icbm-by-default/|title = Northrop Grumman wins competition to build future ICBM, by default|date = 14 December 2019}}</ref>