Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force

Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force
Sentinel ICBM’s first flight test slips to 2026: Air Force

An official with prime contractor Northrop Grumman defended the beleaguered program, and said, “looking for that blame, I think, is hard because it really was just an immense challenge.”

Northrop Grumman logs billion-dollar charge on B-21 stealth bomber

Northrop Grumman logs billion-dollar charge on B-21 stealth bomber
Northrop Grumman logs billion-dollar charge on B-21 stealth bomber

Chief Executive Officer Kathy Warden said that despite cost growth for the company’s Sentinel ICBM program, the company’s “near-term assumptions” of its sales and profitability are not “materially impacted.”

Sentinel ICBM incurs ‘critical’ cost breach, at risk of cancellation without SECDEF certification

Sentinel ICBM incurs ‘critical’ cost breach, at risk of cancellation without SECDEF certification
Sentinel ICBM incurs ‘critical’ cost breach, at risk of cancellation without SECDEF certification

The Minuteman III replacement’s costs ballooned by 37 percent and will take about two years longer than expected as officials reportedly discover hidden complications of silo construction.

Sentinel ICBM program ‘struggling’ with ‘unknown unknowns’: Kendall

Sentinel ICBM program ‘struggling’ with ‘unknown unknowns’: Kendall
Sentinel ICBM program ‘struggling’ with ‘unknown unknowns’: Kendall

Kendall also expressed concern about the effects of a likely continuing resolution on key programs, including the Advanced Battle Management System and the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.

DoD rejiggers $96 billion Sentinel ICBM program to minimize delay

DoD rejiggers $96 billion Sentinel ICBM program to minimize delay
DoD rejiggers $96 billion Sentinel ICBM program to minimize delay

As officials described how they’ll spend billions on America’s nuclear arsenal and presented rosy outlooks, California’s Rep. John Garamendi retorted, “The fact of the matter is every single one of these systems are behind schedule and over budget, every single one of them.”

Sentinel ICBM ‘on track’ for flight test this year: Senior USAF official

Sentinel ICBM ‘on track’ for flight test this year: Senior USAF official
Sentinel ICBM ‘on track’ for flight test this year: Senior USAF official

According to the Congressional Research Service, due to its modular design and increased throw weight, the Sentinel ICBM could be equipped “with two or three warheads to meet the international security environment.”

USAF to begin Minuteman III silo conversion to house Sentinel ICBM by decade’s end

USAF to begin Minuteman III silo conversion to house Sentinel ICBM by decade’s end
USAF to begin Minuteman III silo conversion to house Sentinel ICBM by decade’s end

The scale of the silo conversion effort is something the Air Force nuclear complex hasn’t seen in “over 50 or 60 years,” Lt. Gen. James Dawkins, deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, said today.

Nuclear, missile defense reviews target increasing Russian, Chinese threats

Nuclear, missile defense reviews target increasing Russian, Chinese threats
Nuclear, missile defense reviews target increasing Russian, Chinese threats

The two reviews were largely welcomed by more hawkish commentators and criticized by supporters of more robust approaches to nuclear arms control — with the latter lamenting that Biden has walked away from campaign promises to reduce US reliance on nuclear weapons.

GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026

GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026
GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026

“We’ve entered into the next big phase, what we call ‘CDR season,'” Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Strategic Deterrent Systems division, told Breaking Defense.

Why Nuclear Force Modernization Must Happen: Maj. Gen. Lutton

Why Nuclear Force Modernization Must Happen: Maj. Gen. Lutton
Why Nuclear Force Modernization Must Happen: Maj. Gen. Lutton

Some critics cite a growing nuclear stockpile as another indicator of a looming arms race. But the size and age of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile is at the lowest level of warheads since the late 1950s, with the average warhead age being older than at any other time in history.

IT ‘Backbone’ Top Priority For AFMC’s Digitization Drive: Bunch

IT ‘Backbone’ Top Priority For AFMC’s Digitization Drive: Bunch
IT ‘Backbone’ Top Priority For AFMC’s Digitization Drive: Bunch

“I really want industry feedback” about how to improve AFMC’s plans for incorporating digital engineering into its operations across the board, said Bunch.

Air Force Cuts Aircraft To Fund Space, Multi-Domain

Air Force Cuts Aircraft To Fund Space, Multi-Domain
Air Force Cuts Aircraft To Fund Space, Multi-Domain

“Winning the future fight will require us to dominate space,” said Maj. Gen. John Pletcher, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for budget.

First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins

First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins
First 2020 Minuteman III Test Launches As New START Countdown Begins

No political message was intended by the launch. Testing “is not used as a ‘signaling mechanism’ politically,” Col. Omar Colbert, Air Force Global Strike Command’s 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, stressed on Monday.

New Warhead Fuze Gets Tested In 1st 2020 Minuteman III Launch

New Warhead Fuze Gets Tested In 1st 2020 Minuteman III Launch
New Warhead Fuze Gets Tested In 1st 2020 Minuteman III Launch

This is only the second time reporters from non-local media have been allowed to tour an ICBM test launch site and get briefed. Theresa and a small group of reporters will be allowed to watch tomorrow night’s launch.