New Air Force Sentinel ICBM Conducts Successful Live “Static Test Fire”

by Hassan D. Green, Warrior Contributor

A strategic change is on the horizon in the U.S. Air Force and involves a part of its firepower repertoire. The array of our current intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) is in focus as the current LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBMs will be replaced after over 50 years in service.

The Air Force Sentinel program is quietly progressing forward with continued tests, assessments and requirements analysis, despite the widespread press reporting that the program is behind schedule and over budget. 

The new LGM-35A Sentinel will be the new ICBM of choice for decades to come, set to become operational by 2029. These weapons, formerly known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), are currently being developed by the Air Force Global Strike Command, in association with aerospace and defense company, Northrop Grumman, as first reported on the official U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center website.

Northrop Grumman was awarded a $13.3 billion contract from the Department of the Air Force in 2020 for the development of this new intercontinental ballistic missile.

Several companies working in subcontracting capacities under Northrup Grumman for the LGM-35 include General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Bechtel, Parsons, Textron, and others who are familiar with defense contracting. This has been an ongoing upgrade effort that’s been in the works for approximately 10 years, so far.

This new ICMB design will include a W87-1 nuclear warhead with a range of more than 5,500km