The military will continue developing the new LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. Still, the U.S. Air Force has been directed to restructure the program due to rising costs. The Pentagon stated that even a modified version of the Northrop Grumman-made Sentinel could cost $140.9 billion, 81% more than the original estimate of $77.7 billion. Without modifications, the cost could reach $160 billion. The restructuring is expected to cause delays in the program.
William LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, expressed concern over the cost growth but emphasized the importance of modernizing nuclear forces. The Sentinel is intended to replace the Air Force’s Minuteman III nuclear missile, which is reaching the end of its life.
Changes are underway for the Sentinel program, with LaPlante rescinding its Milestone B approval and ordering a program restructuring to address the cost overruns. The Air Force is working to control costs, particularly in the command and launch segment, to ensure the program’s future price remains manageable.
Northrop Grumman reported progress on the Sentinel program, meeting milestones and reducing risks for future production and deployment. LaPlante acknowledged that more information was needed initially to accurately estimate the complexity and costs of Sentinel’s ground-based systems.
The Air Force has implemented oversight measures for its nuclear enterprise, including setting up committees and dedicating a program executive officer to ICBMs. Despite the cost challenges, efforts are being made to sustain Minuteman III while the Sentinel program undergoes restructuring.
