The U.S. Air Force recently acknowledged significant shortcomings in its Sentinel missile program, which aims to replace the aging Minuteman III nuclear arsenal. According to Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s acquisitions chief, the focus on the missile itself led to the neglect of essential infrastructure, such as missile silos and launch networks. This oversight and other management failures have caused the program’s costs to skyrocket from an initial estimate of $78 billion to over $141 billion.
The Sentinel missile, developed by Northrop Grumman and tipped with the W87-1 warhead, is designed to modernize America’s nuclear capabilities. However, the program has faced delays, budget overruns, and intense scrutiny. In July, the Pentagon reaffirmed its commitment to the Sentinel project but called for significant changes. The program's head was fired, and Hunter emphasized that these failures were a collective issue involving not only the Air Force and Northrop Grumman but also the broader defense acquisition community.
Critics argue that the massive price tag and management missteps raise more significant questions about the need for ground-based nuclear missiles in the modern era. The current "triad" of atomic defense—bombers, submarines, and land-based missiles—has existed for decades, but some experts question its relevance today. Mackenzie Knight, a senior research associate with the Federation of American Scientists, noted that large defense projects often suffer from management lapses and outdated thinking, calling for more oversight early in the process. Meanwhile, Stephen Young from the Union of Concerned Scientists suggested that maintaining a triad is a legacy policy, not necessarily one suited to current threats.
Air Force leaders remain committed to moving forward with the Sentinel program despite these issues. Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife stated that the Air Force is reviewing the program "line by line" to control costs, stressing that a capable nuclear arsenal is necessary for national security. However, the Sentinel project is part of broader challenges within the U.S. nuclear weapons system, which include crumbling infrastructure and unresolved issues related to nuclear waste management and cleanup.
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