Northrop Grumman is experiencing supply chain and workforce issues that are negatively impacting
What is known
LGM-35A Sentinel – silo-based ICBM,which will be able to carry nuclear warheads and will become a replacement for the Minuteman III. Deborah Rosenblum, assistant secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, said the Sentinel project is one of the Pentagon's top priorities. The Department of Defense wants to have a sustainable intercontinental missile that is part of the nuclear triad.
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The Pentagon is still planning to get the LGM-35ASentinel in 2030. However, Deborah Rosenblum emphasized that it is still premature to talk about the exact date, since the schedule can be shifted "to the right or to the left." You don’t need to look far for an example, because it was previously expected that in 2029 the first nine LGM-35A Sentinel missiles would go on combat duty.
It is also worth noting that the Law on DefenseThe production program is rated DX. This means that providers will have preference. The Pentagon is trying to solve the labor issue together with the US Air Force.
LGM-35A Sentinel is being developed to replace the 400obsolete intercontinental ballistic missiles Minuteman III. Northrop Grumman recently tested an ICBM engine. The $96 billion program has strong bipartisan support in the US Congress.
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This is primarily due to the fastmodernization of China's nuclear arsenal. In February 2023, the Chinese army was armed with more ICBM launchers than the US military, but fewer real missiles and warheads.