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An updated U.S. Air Force estimate, approved by the Pentagon's top acquisition official in July, puts the cost to design and build a fleet of new nuclear-capable cruise missiles at $10.8 billion, a source familiar with the program told Arms Control Today.
The service prepared the estimate, which is in fiscal year 2016 constant dollars, in the spring in preparation for the program's milestone A decision, a key early benchmark in the acquisition process for the weapon, according to the source.
Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, approved that decision on July 29, the Air Force said later that day. The service declined requests from Arms Control Today to provide information on new program cost estimates.
An early draft estimate prepared by the Air Force in fiscal year 2015 projected the price to acquire the missile fleet at $8.3 billion.
The service also announced on July 29 that it had begun soliciting proposals from the defense industry to design the new air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), known as the longrange standoff weapon, and a new fleet of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
These programs are part of the Defense Department's plan to modernize and replace elements of the U.S. nuclear triad, which department officials anticipate will cost $350-450 billion over the next 20 years and will put severe pressure on the overall military budget unless Congress provides additional funding. (See ACT, May 2016.)
The Air...