B-21 Raider bombers, Columbia missile cruisers and Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles - U.S. working to modernize nuclear triad

By: Maksim Panasovskiy | 12.12.2022, 00:13

The United States is working to modernize all components of the "nuclear triad. This was announced by the head of the Defense Department, Lloyd Austin.

Here's What We Know

The Pentagon chief noted that the U.S. Armed Forces Strategic Command must contain conflicts and maintain peace, primarily for the United States itself, but also for NATO allies, South Korea, Japan and Australia. In order to do so, the state must have a strong nuclear capability.

Lloyd Austin stressed that America is actively working to modernize all three components of the "nuclear triad". A week ago, Northrop Grumman unveiled the B-21 Raider, which in a few years will enter into service and become the foundation of the country's strategic aviation.

Strategic underwater missile cruisers will appear at the beginning of the next decade. I am talking about Columbia class submarines. The atomic submarines will replace the Ohio and will be able to carry up to 16 Trident missiles with nuclear warheads. The cost of one Columbia cruiser will be more than $9 billion.

The third component is the LGM-35 Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. It is a replacement for the Minuteman III. The missiles will be deployed in Nebraska, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota beginning in 2029. The Sentinel will last until 2075.

Source: Pentagon

Images: STRATCOM, Wikipedia, Northrop Grumman