The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $13.3 billion contract for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program, Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, announced Tuesday.

The GBSD program replaces the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to secure funding for the GBSD program.

“The GBSD is an integral part of modernizing our nation’s nuclear forces and ensuring that we maintain a strong strategic deterrent. We’ve worked hard to provide the funding to keep this program on budget and on time. We look forward to continuing to work with Northrop Grumman to ensure that our nation’s land-based ICBMs, including those stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, are ready and able to protect our nation and deter our enemies,” Hoeven said.