New shelter prototype will protect Global Strike missileers and defense tech

Missileers examine the new prototype shelter enclosing the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Antenna May 29 at Minot AFB, North Dakota. The prototype was designed by Celina Tent through a STRIKEWERX project to protect maintainers and increase their productivity. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo by Nedra Davis, STRIKEWERX)

By Sean Green, CIC Facilitation and Outreach Manager

BOSSIER CITY, La. — Celina Tent and the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) have delivered a prototype shelter to protect Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) missile maintainers and increase productivity.

The new rapidly-inflatable, tent-like shelter will protect maintainers from extreme cold and heat while working on the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) antenna.

Developed during a design sprint led by STRIKEWERX, CIC’s innovation hub for AFGSC, the two-piece, 20-foot-tall prototype will be set up with the one shelter fixed and the second shelter enclosing the AEHF antenna and crane used in maintenance. The second shelter can pivot open for the crane to complete maintenance operations and pivot back to seal off the work area once the crane has completed its work.

Missileers at Minot AFB, North Dakota, set up the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Antenna inflatable shelter prototype May 29. The prototype was designed by Celina Tent through a STRIKEWERX project to protect maintainers and increase their productivity. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo by Nedra Davis, STRIKEWERX)

“The prototype, with some tweaks, will fulfill the mission we requested it for,” said Steven Green, ICBM nuclear command, control, and communication systems manager for AFGSC. “STRIKEWERX has been very helpful in making this request a reality and Celina [Tent] has been very supportive making necessary modifications.”

Due to extreme temperatures, maintainers must use “Work Rest Cycles” to minimize weather related injuries such as hypothermia or heat exhaustion. This modernized shelter will provide a barrier to better protect both Airmen and equipment from the elements.

The prototype’s quick set-up and take down will also cut maintenance time by 50%, with the intention of reducing overnight stays at missile alert facilities.

Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, all worked with STRIKEWERX and Celina Tent to develop requirements for the shelter.

"Seeing this specific solution go from concept to prototype is the best part of my job,” said Tom Lietz, Celina Tent product engineer. “I love everything we did working with STRIKEWERX and the design sprint process we followed to get to a great solution.”

Three shelters will be tested, and pending results, the prototype could be refined and delivered to AFGSC for implementation across all three of AFGSC’s Missile Wings, ensuring that the United States’ nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring our Allies and Partners.