The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $1.6 billion contract to provide guidance subsystem support for the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is supported at the Boeing Huntsville site.

Boeing will maintain the around-the-clock readiness and accuracy of Minuteman ICBM guidance systems — which have logged more than 40 million hours of continuous operation — to ensure safe, secure and effective strategic deterrence into the late 2030s.

“We built the Minuteman’s guidance system, so no one knows it like Boeing. Our highly-specialized facilities and top-flight engineers enable us to sustain it with unmatched quality and precision,” said Ted Kerzie, program director of Strategic Deterrence Systems. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Air Force on this all-important mission.”

The Boeing-built ICBM weapon system has served as the backbone of the U.S. nuclear triad since the inception of strategic deterrence. Boeing is the only company that has continuously supported every ICBM subsystem — guidance, ground, propulsion and re-entry — over the lifetime of the system.

The 16-year contract is expected to be completed by Feb. 1, 2039.