United States develops LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile

The United States is developing the LGM-35A Sentinel, a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to replace the aging Minuteman III system. Developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force, the Sentinel aims to modernize the land-based component of the nation's nuclear triad and maintain strategic deterrence through the 2070s.

The project involves a massive overhaul of supporting infrastructure, including the construction of 450 reinforced silos, upgraded launch facilities, and advanced fiber-optic communication networks. Spanning five states, this is described as the largest construction project in the history of the Air Force. A modular silo design will be tested at a prototype site in Utah starting in 2026, with missiles eventually deployed at bases in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Technically, the Sentinel is a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket capable of traveling nearly 10,000 kilometers and reaching speeds of approximately Mach 23. However, the program has faced significant challenges, including design flaws and substantial cost overruns that have delayed the project timeline and increased the budget.