Sandia National Laboratories and the Kansas City National Security Campus have reached a crucial milestone in the development of a weapons component called the Mark 21 Replacement Fuze. This fuze interfaces with the W87-0 warhead and will be deployed on the Minuteman III and eventually on the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The first production unit of the replacement fuze was approved through the National Nuclear Security Administration’s rigorous Quality Assurance Inspection Procedure in March. The Mark 21 Fuze, designed and developed by Sandia, is an integrated assembly of logic and sensing devices responsible for directing the warhead to initiate firing sequences at the correct point in targeting parameters.
Sandia’s role in the Mark 21 Fuze Replacement Program is to deliver a product that meets the U.S. Air Force’s requirements. By completing the first production unit, Sandia has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent and providing the necessary capability for the U.S. nuclear deterrent into the future. This achievement is a result of collaboration between the NNSA and the U.S. Air Force, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in the development of critical national security components.
Designing the Mark 21 fuze was a complex process that began in 2011 and involved incorporating Air Force requirements into a form, fit, and functional package that interfaces with the Mk21 aeroshell, MMIII missile, and W87-0 warhead. Sandia worked closely with the Kansas City National Security Campus to ensure the design was producible and delivered on schedule. While the Kansas City National Security Campus is responsible for producing and assembling the fuze, Sandia is manufacturing some of the parts, showcasing the collaborative effort involved in creating this crucial component.
Before entering full rate production, the Mark 21 fuze had to undergo a rigorous qualification process to ensure it met Air Force specifications. This process involved testing and analysis to verify that the fuze would function as intended in various environments, including those experienced during missile launch and ballistic reentry. The program conducted numerous tests, including environmental, ground, and flight tests, to ensure the fuze’s durability and reliability under extreme conditions.
Now that the fuze is in full rate production, Sandia’s responsibilities include conducting surveillance and stockpile assessments to ensure that the weapon with the fuze remains safe, secure, and reliable until retirement. This process involves modeling and simulation as well as flight and ground testing to guarantee that the fuze continues to function as intended. The completion of the first production unit of the Mark 21 fuze marks a significant milestone for Sandia and its partners in the nuclear security enterprise, setting the stage for continued collaboration to meet production milestones and deliver the necessary quantity of fuzes to meet stockpile needs.
Overall, the completion of the first production unit of the Mark 21 fuze represents a culmination of more than a decade of work and collaboration between Sandia, the NNSA, and the Department of Defense. This achievement underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in the development of critical national security components and highlights the dedication and expertise of the teams involved in ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
