Next-Gen Minuteman III Replacement Can’t Come Fast Enough

Northrop Grumman Corporation has capped a live, static-fire test of their next-gen Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, at the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

The test leaves the Sentinel a long way from genuine production-readiness, however. The test was conducted in a vacuum chamber simulating the real-world environmental conditions experienced during high-altitude and space flight. The next step will put the Sentinel to the test with its 1st and 2nd stages.

The Sentinel program aims to replace the long-lived Minuteman ICBM system, an essential part of the country's nuclear triad. Once in service, it is expected to be in use through 2075 - A long time considering the Minuteman's original expected lifecycle. When initially fielded, the Minuteman III was expected to see service for about a decade, until a series of life extensions and overhauls added additional service life, one upgrade at a time, leading it to soldier on into the 2030s.

Sarah Willoughby, vice president and program manager for the Sentinel, said “Our successful test moves us forward for qualification testing in partnership with the Air Force. The test’s data gives us an accurate reading of our design’s performance and now informs our modeling and designs. This lowers risk and builds confidence in our approach to deliver the next-generation ICBM capability to the Air Force.”

FMI: www.northropgrumman.com