The US wants to get a new generation of warheads and upgrade the Mk21 to install a thermonuclear charge on the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM

Northrop Grumman continues to work on an ICBM replacement for the Minuteman III missile. She

will appear at the beginning of the next decade, there will becalled Sentinel and will last until the 2070s. In the meantime, the US Air Force is awaiting applications for the development of next-generation combat units (Next Generation Reentry Vehicle, NGRV).

What is known

The budget documents indicate that the listrequirements include increased survivability, lethality and accuracy, and contract signing is scheduled for fiscal year 2026 (FY). The rest of the details are classified.

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The warhead usually consists of aluminumframe, which is coated with a graphite-epoxy composite. The warhead is in the center. The Sentinel missile will carry a single thermonuclear charge, although it could potentially be equipped with two or three warheads, depending on the international security environment.

The US Air Force has requested $15 million for FY2024 to pave the way for the first contracts. By FY2028, program funding will increase to $319 million.

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So far, there is no information about when the US Air Forceintend to receive warheads of a new generation. But it is known that the service plans to upgrade the Mk21 units. The warhead after the upgrade will be called Mk21A. It should be ready for FY2030. The Mk21 is the warhead used in the Minuteman III. It is integral with the W87 thermonuclear charge (pictured above).

Companies can submit their applications for participation in the competition until April 19, 2023.