Air Force Defends MX as Best Missile System in World

The Air Force defended the MX missile Monday against a congressional report alleging that the weapon, a key component of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, is inaccurate and unreliable.

Brig. Gen. Charles A. May Jr., who oversees the MX program for the Air Force, said a House Armed Services Committee report on the missile released Monday was “erroneous.” May, saying that the weapon’s accuracy exceeds design specifications, called the MX “the finest missile system ever built by man anywhere in the world.”

He did acknowledge, however, that the Air Force is “concerned” that the most recent test-firings of the 10-warhead missile have been less accurate than earlier launches. Of the five most recent test shots--all involving production rather than research versions of the missile--two have fallen outside the target zone.

As a result, the general said, the Air Force put off further test-firings of the missile until next year to find and correct the cause of the errant shots. He also said many production problems have slowed deliveries of operational missiles.

Mismanagement Alleged

May, putting the delay in the best light, said: “Since we had this additional time available to us, it was decided that we could take advantage of it to further fine-tune this outstanding missile system.”

The congressional report focused on the missile’s guidance system, known as the inertial measurement unit, or IMU, which is built by Northrop’s electronics division in Hawthorne. The IMU, a basketball-sized device packed with 126 pounds of electronic “brains,” guides the missile and its 10 independently targeted warheads.

A California grand jury is investigating alleged mismanagement of the IMU program at Northrop, including allegations of falsified test data, altered time cards and substitution of parts from unauthorized suppliers.

In April, the Air Force suspended all IMU program payments to Northrop, which is four months behind schedule in deliveries of the guidance units. The Air Force has withheld $108 million so far because of late deliveries.

Only 14 of the 22 MX missiles deployed in silos at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming are fully operational. The other eight are awaiting installation of working guidance systems.

The Administration has requested 100 of the missiles, half of which are to be based in hardened silos in the western United States. The other half would be deployed on rail cars. But Congress has authorized only the 50 silo-based weapons. Debate continues on a basing plan for the 50 other units.

The Air Force remains committed to acquiring 100 operational missiles and 123 missiles for testing. President Reagan and military officials refer to the long-range missile, designed to hit military targets in the Soviet Union, as the “Peacekeeper.”

May said the Air Force has convened a scientific advisory board to study the MX program and suggest ways to improve quality and speed production. He said he is confident that the panel, when it reports in September, will “reassure us that everything we’ve said about the inertial guidance system is correct.”