The US has suspended the Sentinel intercontinental missile programme, which currently costs $160 billion
The cost of developing the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, which is to replace the Minuteman III, has increased from $77.7 billion to $160 billion. In this regard, the US decided to suspend work on the ground infrastructure and revise the project.
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The US Air Force has instructed Northrop Grumman to halt the development, testing, and construction of test launchers at Vandenberg (California) and Hill (Utah) air bases.
The programme review, announced in the summer of 2024, could take 18 to 24 months. The main reason for the suspension was the unexpectedly high cost of the ground infrastructure. This includes the reconstruction of 450 launch shafts, 24 control centres, 600 facilities and the replacement of 1,200 km of cables.
As early as 2023, the possibility of engaging third-party contractors instead of Northrop Grumman in the construction work was considered to reduce costs.
The LGM-35A Sentinel launcher. Illustration: Northrop Grumman
However, the US Air Force has no alternative to this programme, as the Minuteman III, which was introduced in 1970, is reaching the end of its service life and there are no opportunities for further modernisation.
The LGM-35A Sentinel was originally planned to enter service in 2029. The programme envisages the purchase of 634 missiles and another 25 for testing. They were supposed to have a service life of 45 years, but delays have made it increasingly unlikely that these plans will be implemented on time.
Source: Defence One