US may scrap more than $200bn Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile programme

Less than a month remains before the US Department of Defence decides on the fate of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile programme. The project, the total cost of which already exceeds $100bn, may be closed.

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Compared to the estimate made in 2020, the cost of the Sentinel programme has increased by 37% and already exceeds $131 billion. Moreover, the project is behind schedule, and the above-mentioned amount may grow by another $100 billion due to the need to invest in the creation of nuclear warheads and maintenance of missiles during the 50-year life cycle.

Previously, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that the Sentinel programme should be pursued despite delays and rising costs. However, the US will be able to effectively implement nuclear deterrence even in the absence of one component of the nuclear triad.

The US Navy has a sufficient number of nuclear submarines equipped with Trident II (D5) intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. With their help, the U.S. will be able to deliver devastating strikes. In addition, the submarine is difficult to track, while the silos for intercontinental missiles are visible from space.

As for the Snetinel, it is being developed as a replacement for the Minuteman III. There are now four hundred intercontinental ballistic missiles in service with US forces. They are installed in 450 silos over an area of about 50,000 square kilometres.

Lockheed Martin is developing the MK21A reentry vehicle for the Sentinel. Last year the company received $1bn for production. With its help, the intercontinental ballistic missile will be able to deliver a W87-1 nuclear warhead to a range of over 10,000 kilometres.

Source: Defence One