Forge ahead with the Sentinel ICBM, but consider making it mobile
Nuclear experts from three different think tanks argue that it's time to take the idea of mobile launchers for America's ICBMs seriously.
About that ‘tension’ with Qatar, and refueling on orbit: AFA day 3 [Video]
On day three of AFA, a senior Air Force official acknowledged the US didn't see Israel's strike in Qatar coming.
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Meeting modern airpower needs with faster R&D cycles for propulsion
As aircraft shrink, threats expand, and technology accelerates, aircraft engines must iterate along with the threats.
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Modernizing the nuclear triad with a new cornerstone ICBM
The Air Force’s Sentinel missile’s capabilities are being proven digitally to accelerate design and reduce costs.
An ICBM update and Space Force in focus: AFA day 2 [Video]
Things that go into orbit led the news at day two of the AFA conference.
Air Force general pledges to ‘get Sentinel done,’ expects Milestone B in 2027
Air Force Program Executive Officer for ICBMs Brig. Gen. William Rogers said he has “every intention” of fully fielding the forthcoming Sentinel missile ahead of 2050.
Air Force can extend Minuteman ICBMs to 2050, but with risks: GAO
“Today's GAO report confirms that we desperately need an independent review to hold Pentagon officials accountable for wasting and mismanaging billions of taxpayer dollars,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Breaking Defense.
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Beacon brings industry into a shared ecosystem to accelerate flight autonomy
Six companies have already signed up for a new flight-test program to mature their autonomy software.
The Break Out: A glimpse into Navy’s CCA plans, and a Sentinel milestone [VIDEO]
The team talks about a couple recent scoops on the Navy's secretive drone wingman program and the transition to Sentinel ICBMs.
Air Force takes first Minuteman III silo offline, in milestone towards Sentinel
The service said that requirements to keep 400 nuclear missiles on alert will not be impacted by the shuttering of a silo located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Sentinel ICBM first flight date now in flux, Air Force says
The troubled ICBM program was supposed to fly for the first time in 2026, but now the Air Force says that the date is unknown.
Air Force now expects Sentinel ICBMs will ‘predominantly’ need new silos
“Part of the requirements, initially — ten years ago when this program was started — was to reuse the holes, the missile holes at the launch facilities,” said Air Force Gen. Thomas Bussiere. “Shockingly enough, if we look at it, that may not be the answer.”
Modern Tech in Indo-Pacific Operations
Explore how networked warfare, AI, and 3D-printed drones are reshaping US Indo-Pacific strategy.
It’s time to put American bombers back on alert
The US bomber fleet has been off alert since 1991, but the nuclear threats of China, Russia and North Korea means it's time to go back to the Cold War posture, argue two nuclear power advocates.
Air Force could reopen competition for Sentinel ICBM ground infrastructure, Hunter says
“I think there are elements of the ground infrastructure where there may be opportunities for competition that we can add to the acquisition strategy for Sentinel," said Andrew Hunter, the Air Force's top acquisition official.
Sentinel ICBM faces year delay, Air Force One and F-15EX also at risk: GAO
A new watchdog report warns of a year-long delay for America's next ICBM, as well as potential schedule slips for F-15EX, KC-46A and the Air Force One replacement.
Air Force seeks industry input for next-gen ICBM reentry vehicle
The new reentry vehicle will be mounted on the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, with the goal of awarding a contract in fiscal 2026.