Pentagon pushes Sentinel nuclear missile program forward

The USA Air Pressure has introduced a revised acquisition plan for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, confirming {that a} main restructuring effort shall be accomplished by the tip of 2026, with preliminary operational functionality focused for the early 2030s. The replace was launched by the Secretary of the Air Pressure Public Affairs workplace as a part of efforts aligned with the 2026 Nationwide Protection Technique.

In keeping with the U.S. Air Pressure, program officers are executing a remodeled acquisition technique meant to speed up modernization of the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent whereas making ready for a Milestone B choice earlier than the tip of this yr. The Sentinel program is designed to interchange the getting old Minuteman III system and modernize missile infrastructure, launch services, and command-and-control structure.

To assist the trouble, Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth established the Division of Warfare Direct Reporting Portfolio Supervisor for Vital Main Weapon Methods in August of final yr. The construction consolidates oversight of main applications, together with Sentinel, Minuteman III, F-47, and B-21, underneath a single authority geared toward decreasing choice delays throughout acquisition, infrastructure, and operational transition.

“The DRPM has the direct authority to make choices, knowledgeable by built-in inputs throughout the enterprise and in alignment with the mission priorities set by the Secretary of Warfare and the Secretary for the Air Pressure,” stated Gen. Dale White, director of Vital Main Weapon Methods. “That assemble permits us to resolve tradeoffs shortly and transfer with the velocity required to ship credible deterrence — whereas preserving the self-discipline this mission calls for.”

Below the up to date framework, U.S. Strategic Command retains duty for strategic deterrence operations, whereas Air Pressure World Strike Command leads operational transition and readiness actions. The Division of the Air Pressure continues to handle acquisition and infrastructure supply, now synchronized by a unified choice authority.

Officers stated an in depth evaluation decided this system stays on monitor to finish restructuring throughout calendar yr 2026. The evaluation additionally confirmed the early 2030s because the agency goal for delivering preliminary functionality.

Technical work has continued in the course of the restructuring part. The Air Pressure assembled the primary full three-stage floor check missile final fall, enabling transportation and emplacement testing forward of flight trials. This system additionally accomplished a full-scale qualification check of Sentinel’s Stage-2 stable rocket motor in July 2025, following earlier Stage-1 testing and developmental evaluations.

In September, this system finalized a crucial design evaluation for the Sentinel Launch Assist System, which can assist each testing and operational launches all through the missile’s service life.

“The Sentinel crew did the onerous work to display readiness to advance key choices, they usually introduced ahead the info to assist it,” White stated. “The restructured Sentinel program is the product of a deliberate, data-driven course of and embodies our dedication to reworking acquisition.”

Operational transition efforts are additionally underway. Air Pressure World Strike Command just lately took the primary Minuteman III silo offline as a part of the phased transition to Sentinel. Website Activation Process Pressure detachments are working at F.E. Warren Air Pressure Base in Wyoming, Malmstrom Air Pressure Base in Montana, Minot Air Pressure Base in North Dakota, and Vandenberg Area Pressure Base in California to coordinate deactivation, development, and system fielding.

“Our World Strike Airmen function the land-based ICBM drive foundational to our nation’s protection, 24 hours a day, 12 months a yr,” stated Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Pressure World Strike Command. “The activation of those SATAF detachments and turnover of the primary Minuteman III silo is a transparent sign: we’re making actual, tangible progress in accelerating the Sentinel program and fielding considerably improved long-range strike capabilities.”

The restructuring additionally consists of choices meant to scale back danger and price volatility. Moderately than refurbishing decades-old silos, the Air Pressure plans to assemble new launch services designed for contemporary security and infrastructure necessities. This system will observe a phased “crawl, stroll, run” flight-testing method, permitting earlier validation of key applied sciences earlier than full integration.

Building milestones are already scheduled. Groundbreaking for a prototype launch silo at Northrop Grumman’s Promontory, Utah, facility is deliberate for February, whereas further infrastructure prototyping will start this summer time at F.E. Warren Air Pressure Base. Everlasting wing command facilities and check services are additionally underneath development to assist future flight operations, together with a primary missile pad launch deliberate for 2027.

“A contemporary, dependable ICBM drive complicates an adversary’s decision-making and supplies the President with credible choices — the very cornerstone of strategic deterrence,” stated U.S. Navy Adm. Richard Correll, commander of U.S. Strategic Command. “The deliberate progress being made on Sentinel ensures, that for many years to return, there shall be little doubt within the minds of our adversaries in regards to the credibility and readiness of our nation’s nuclear deterrent. That’s the final deliverable.”

The Sentinel program represents a once-in-a-generation modernization of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. Its progress carries direct implications for U.S. strategic stability, making certain continuity of deterrence as legacy techniques age and adversaries broaden missile capabilities.