US begins production of W87-1 nuclear warheads for next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile Sentinel

The W87-1 warhead will appear in the arsenal of the US Armed Forces in the future. The National Nuclear Security Administration has confirmed that production of the W87-1 has begun as part of the nuclear modernisation programme.

Here's What We Know

The new nuclear warhead is designed for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. It will replace the Minuteman III. The developer of the new missile is the Northrop Grumman Company. The Sentinel is expected to appear at the end of the decade and will be in service until the 2070s.

It is possible that the introduction of Sentinel into service will be delayed. The missile was originally expected to be ready in 2029, but then the readiness date was shifted by a year. The cost of the entire programme could amount to $96bn.

It is worth noting that work on the W87-1 was carried out at the end of the last century. Development of the nuclear warhead began in November 1986. Initially W87-1 was targeted at MGM-134A Midgetman. However, the missile was not adopted for service and therefore the development of W87-1 was frozen in summer of 1998.

Source: National Nuclear Security Administration