The entire force of Minuteman III missiles is slated to be upgraded with the SERV modifications by 2011. With options, the contract modification's total value over six years will be about $104 million, the company said in a statement.

LM is a principal teammate on the SERV program to Northrop Grumman, the ICBM prime integration contractor for the U.S. Air Force. LM Space Systems, the principal designer and manufacturer of Minuteman III reentry systems since the 1960s, has designed and developed all of the flight hardware and ground support equipment associated with the SERV program.

LM Space Systems will provide the Electronic Command Signal Generator component and associated cabling that interface between the guidance and control system of the Minuteman III missile and the reentry vehicles. The company also will provide the flight hardware for attachment of the reentry vehicles to the missile.

LM's Valley Forge facility produces the Electronic Command Signal Generator, cables, attachment hardware and a complete suite of ground support equipment, as well as associated engineering and logistics support.

With SERV, the Minuteman III is now capable of carrying single Mark 21 reentry vehicles that became available from the recently decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBM missile force. The Mark 21 is a newer design with enhanced safety features.

"The same commitment that has led to success on the earlier phases of the SERV program will help assure a reliable ICBM force through full-rate production and beyond," said Les Lyon, LM Space Systems' director of Air Force reentry programs.

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