Boeing on Tuesday announced that the U.S. Air Force has awarded the aerospace giant a new 18-year, $1.6 billion sole-source contract to maintain its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, which is supported by the company’s Huntsville operations.

The Minuteman III is a product of Boeing’s Rocket City-based Missile and Weapon Systems division. The company has exclusively held the program since 1996.

Mike Murasky, site leader for the Boeing Guidance Repair Center in Ohio hailed the announcement as the defense titan continues its support of critical U.S. defense initiatives.

“As the original equipment manufacturer of the ICBM guidance system, this contract ensures the continued reliability, safety and accuracy of our nation’s land-based strategic deterrent,” said Murasky. “We appreciate the confidence the Air Force has demonstrated in our capability to continue providing them with the highest quality support.”

Thank you, @USAirForce, for continuing our partnership maintaining the guidance system for the Boeing-built Minuteman III ICBM. This ensures the readiness, safety and precision accuracy of the strategic deterrent.

Release: https://t.co/fGTNz4FBtw pic.twitter.com/PQP58xTP5D

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) September 21, 2021

The Boeing-built ICBM weapon system serves as the ground-based facet of the U.S. nuclear triad, which holds the capability of deterring a nuclear attack from the nation’s foreign adversaries.

Huntsville is home to Boeing’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GDM) system, a critical national security program for which the company is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) prime contractor. Earlier this month, the defense juggernaut announced that it was expanding its Alabama-based missile and weapon system operations in support of the U.S. Army’s PAC-3 Missile system. The move initiated a 9,000 square foot expansion of its Huntsville Electronics Center of Excellence.

Boeing’s presence in North Alabama further solidifies the Yellowhammer State’s position as a leader in defense-related priorities contributing to the national security of the United States.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL