Sentinel nuclear deterrent

The $96 billion Sentinel overhaul will modernize the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad and replace five-decade-old Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)

LGM-35A Sentinel: ICBM developed by team led by Northrop Grumman, in co-operation with U.S. Air Forces

Payload: MK21A Reentry Vehicle (RV) developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. at cost of $996 million

Warhead: W87-1 nuclear, based on Minuteman III 300 kiloton-yield W87-0. W87-1 is capable of being upgraded to 475kT

Modularity: Key feature allows easy modernization and replacement of
components in future

Three-stage solid-fuel engines: Of 18 critical technologies, static test fire of first-stage rocket motor is successfully completed in March 2023

Sentinel: Will replace 400 Minuteman ICBMs, their ageing control centres and three missile bases covering area of 82,600 sq km


Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana 
Wyoming
Colorado
F E Warren AFB
Missouri
South Dakota
Washington DC

Strategic Command, Offut AFB, Nebraska

Global Strike
Command, Barksdale
Air Force Base, Louisiana

Sentinel silos
Deactivated silos South



Source: U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Picture: Lockheed Martin
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