The U.S. Air Force's new icing ballistic missile system, Land-Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD), has a name: the LGM-35A Sentinel.
Northrop Grumman products, orders for 660 units, 400 live ammunition, 260 test bombs/training shells, engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) agreements of $13.3 billion, a total cost of $96 billion (excluding warheads).
The model presented by Northrop Grumman, boeing also participated in the bidding, but later withdrew
U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation of the system, which will modernize the U.S. nuclear trinity ICBM phalanx. "For decades, our nation's nuclear deterrent has quietly provided a strategic security shield," Kendall said. During that time, the Air Force department remained vigilant; always vigilant and prepared. The name Sentinel recognizes the mindset that thousands of pilots, past and present, bring to deterrence missions and will remind those who operate, protect, and maintain this system in the future the discipline and responsibility involved in their duties. ”
The Air Force determined that the LGM-35A Sentinel would provide continuity of strategic deterrence at a lower cost than extending the life of the current fleet of intercontinental ballistic missile fleets currently made up of aging Minuteman III. Replacing the 1970s missiles modernized the land-based part of the nuclear trinity and ended more than 50 years of militia service.
Minuteman III is very old and the maintenance cost is high. Originally intended to serve only ten years, it would be the next generation of missiles in 10 years, according to the Cold War update cycle
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Charles H. Lee Jr. Gen. Q. Brown said: "As the Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the Minuteman III weapon system has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our nation's national defense. "As we look ahead to the next 75 years, investment in nuclear modernization remains as important as ever, and we are committed to the transition to the 'sentinel', which will ensure that our country provides a strategic deterrent for tomorrow."
The new system will feature low-risk, technically mature components, a modular architecture that can easily integrate emerging technologies to adapt to rapidly evolving threat environments, and be easier to maintain than a militia system – all of which will save costs and ensure the relevance of sentinel systems to operate well in the 2070s.
Here is a schematic diagram of the LGM-35A Sentinel Launch Center.
Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel Silo, the Air Force's latest weapon system known as land-based strategic deterrence.
Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel, the Air Force's latest weapon system known as land-based strategic deterrence.
Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander of the Air Force's Global Strike Command, said: "The Sentinel is the next generation, capable ICBMs we need. "Nuclear deterrence is at the heart of our defense posture and is now more important than ever." This system will be a highly resilient and capable deterrent that will bring global stability to us and our allies for decades to come. ”
"Sentinel is not only a new type of missile, but also a fully integrated launch, flight and infrastructure system with modern command and control functions. It will support our nation's integrated deterrence and provide our partners and allies with the cornerstone of a stable international order. ”
Existing missile bases, F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and Minor Air Force Base in North Dakota will be home to the new system. The use of infrastructure at existing locations will enable the Militia III and Sentinel weapon systems to continue to meet all nuclear safeguards and safety standards during the transition period.
Russian RS-28 "Salmat" liquid INTERBBM, a follow-up model of the R-36M "Satan", currently the strongest liquid ICBM missile