Sandia National Laboratories and the Kansas City National Security Campus have finished a vital milestone in the development of a crucial weapons component before moving on to full rate production. The Mark 21 Replacement Fuze connects with the W87-0 warhead to be deployed on the Minuteman III and, eventually, the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The first production unit of the replacement fuze has been approved through the National Nuclear Security Administration’s rigorous Quality A.Inspection Procedure in March.
The Mark 21 fuze, which is a combined assembly of Sandia-designed logic and sensing devices, is responsible for directing the warhead to initiate firing sequences at the correct point in targeting parameters. The Mark 21 Fuze Replacement Program is a joint effort between the NNSA and the U.S. Air Force.
“Sandia’s responsibility is to deliver a fuze that aligns with the Air Force’s requirements. Successfully completing the first production unit is a significant milestone in maintaining a credible deterrent,” stated Brad Boswell, a director in Sandia’s nuclear deterrence modernization program. “It proves that we are fulfilling our commitment to the program.”Sandia, as the lead design agency, was in charge of integrating Air Force requirements into a package that works with the Mk21 aeroshell, MMIII missile, and W87-0 warhead to create the Mark 21 fuze. This process began in 2011 and involved a lot of sequential engineering work. Former program manager Bob Oetken emphasized the time-consuming nature of this specific job., in many cases, custom parts.”
The collaboration between Sandia and the Kansas City National Security Campus ensured that 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 involved in manufacturing some of the parts.
Fuze qualification
Prior to the start of fuze production, a significant amount of time was devoted to qualifying the design, ensuring that it meets Air Force specifications. This process involves thorough analysis, testing, and other engineering tools to guarantee that the fuze will function as intended.
“Qualification involves signing off on the design and ensuring that it meets the necessary requirements.”
to stockpile assessment. In this phase, the program focuses on conducting surveillance and monitoring the performance of the fuzes in various stockpile environments. This ensures that the fuzes remain reliable and safe for use over time. Sandia also works closely with the Department of Defense to address any issues that may arise and make any necessary improvements to the fuze design. Overall, the transition from development to production and assessment is a critical part of ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the fuze in the field.
According to Boswell, as the design agency, Sandia is held accountable for the component until the weapon is retired. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the weapon with the fuze attached. As part of the stockpile assessment, Sandia will conduct surveillance using methods such as modeling, simulation, and flight and ground testing to make sure the fuze continues to function as intended.
Working Together for Positive Outcomes
The completion of the first production unit of the Mark 21 fuze represents more than ten years of work and collaboration, not only at Sandia, but also by NNSA and others.
The Department of Defense.
“This initial unit being produced is a major milestone for Sandia and the entire nuclear security enterprise, especially our partners at the Kansas City National Security Campus,” Boswell stated. “As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also need to realize that this is just the beginning of the next stage of our partnership as we strive to achieve important production goals in order to supply the necessary quantity of fuzes for the stockpile.”
Sandia National Laboratories and the Kansas City National Security Campus have finished a vital milestone in the development of a crucial weapons component before moving on to full rate production. The Mark 21 Replacement Fuze connects with the W87-0 warhead to be deployed on the Minuteman III and, eventually, the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The first production unit of the replacement fuze has been approved through the National Nuclear Security Administration’s rigorous Quality A.Inspection Procedure in March.
The Mark 21 fuze, which is a combined assembly of Sandia-designed logic and sensing devices, is responsible for directing the warhead to initiate firing sequences at the correct point in targeting parameters. The Mark 21 Fuze Replacement Program is a joint effort between the NNSA and the U.S. Air Force.
“Sandia’s responsibility is to deliver a fuze that aligns with the Air Force’s requirements. Successfully completing the first production unit is a significant milestone in maintaining a credible deterrent,” stated Brad Boswell, a director in Sandia’s nuclear deterrence modernization program. “It proves that we are fulfilling our commitment to the program.”Sandia, as the lead design agency, was in charge of integrating Air Force requirements into a package that works with the Mk21 aeroshell, MMIII missile, and W87-0 warhead to create the Mark 21 fuze. This process began in 2011 and involved a lot of sequential engineering work. Former program manager Bob Oetken emphasized the time-consuming nature of this specific job., in many cases, custom parts.”
The collaboration between Sandia and the Kansas City National Security Campus ensured that 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 involved in manufacturing some of the parts.
Fuze qualification
Prior to the start of fuze production, a significant amount of time was devoted to qualifying the design, ensuring that it meets Air Force specifications. This process involves thorough analysis, testing, and other engineering tools to guarantee that the fuze will function as intended.
“Qualification involves signing off on the design and ensuring that it meets the necessary requirements.”
to stockpile assessment. In this phase, the program focuses on conducting surveillance and monitoring the performance of the fuzes in various stockpile environments. This ensures that the fuzes remain reliable and safe for use over time. Sandia also works closely with the Department of Defense to address any issues that may arise and make any necessary improvements to the fuze design. Overall, the transition from development to production and assessment is a critical part of ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the fuze in the field.
According to Boswell, as the design agency, Sandia is held accountable for the component until the weapon is retired. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the weapon with the fuze attached. As part of the stockpile assessment, Sandia will conduct surveillance using methods such as modeling, simulation, and flight and ground testing to make sure the fuze continues to function as intended.
Working Together for Positive Outcomes
The completion of the first production unit of the Mark 21 fuze represents more than ten years of work and collaboration, not only at Sandia, but also by NNSA and others.
The Department of Defense.
“This initial unit being produced is a major milestone for Sandia and the entire nuclear security enterprise, especially our partners at the Kansas City National Security Campus,” Boswell stated. “As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also need to realize that this is just the beginning of the next stage of our partnership as we strive to achieve important production goals in order to supply the necessary quantity of fuzes for the stockpile.”