Carleton Controls Corp. wins $10.6 million contract for nuclear missile silo repairs

Carleton Controls Corp, a Michigan-based engineering and manufacturing firm, was awarded a five-year contract valued at $10.6 million recently. The contract, issued by the Supply Chain Management office at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, tasks the company with repairing the entry‑control‑mechanism components of the United States’ Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos.

The Minuteman ICBM is an element of the United States strategic deterrent forces under the control of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center.

The current ICBM force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles located at the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.

Under the recent contract award, Carleton Controls will perform the work at its facilities in Carleton, Mich., with a performance completion date set for Feb. 23, 2032. The contract was held under a competitive acquisition process, although only a single bid was received during the solicitation.

Readiness and Accuracy of Weapon System

Just days before the contract award, the Air Force Global Strike Command announced that an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM was scheduled. An ICBM was scheduled to launch between 11:01 p.m. and 5:01 a.m. Pacific Time, March 3 to March 4, from north Vandenberg, Calif.

“The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system,” Air Force Global Strike Command said in a press release. “This test is routine and was scheduled years in advance.”

Focused Concentration on ICBM Program

Carleton Controls is a veteran-owned small business manufacturer specializing in the production of electrical and electronic components for defense and aerospace applications. The company provides expertise in manufacturing precision electrical controls and related hardware. The company has established itself as a reliable supplier to U.S. military organizations, particularly within the Air Force's logistics and strategic systems procurement framework.

The federal contract awards for Carleton Controls reveal a focused concentration on providing critical electrical components for the ICBM program. Additionally, the company has secured sub-contract awards from Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for technical services, electrical component hardware, and engineering services.