Sentinel Missile News

The Air Force has paused work on launch facilities for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program due to significant cost overruns and restructuring efforts, as of February 12, 2025. The program, intended to replace the aging Minuteman III missiles, is facing delays and increased costs, with the total projected cost now exceeding $140 billion.

• Program Pause: As of February 12, 2025, the Air Force has suspended work on a significant part of the Sentinel ICBM program, including the design, testing, and construction of launch facilities. This decision follows a review process triggered by the program's cost overruns, which have increased the total cost by at least 37% over the initial estimate of $95.3 billion.

• Cost Overruns: The Sentinel program has seen significant cost increases, with the total projected cost now exceeding $140 billion. The Air Force is restructuring the program to address these issues and bring costs under control.

• Replacement of Minuteman III: The Sentinel is intended to replace the Minuteman III ICBMs, which have been in service since 1970. The Air Force plans to procure 634 Sentinel missiles, plus an additional 25 for development and testing, to enable the deployment of 400 missiles by 2029.

• Global Context: While the US Sentinel program faces challenges, China and Russia are rapidly expanding their advanced missile arsenals, potentially tilting the global nuclear balance in their favor. This could weaken US nuclear readiness if the Sentinel program continues to face delays and cost overruns.

• Alternative Proposals: Some experts argue that extending the life of the Minuteman III missiles could be a more cost-effective and safer option than proceeding with the Sentinel program, which is projected to cost $264 billion over its lifecycle.

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Note:  This is AI Generated Information with no sources cited.