February 18, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Sentinel ICBM program hit by software delays, Minuteman extension risks: GAO
Switching from the Minuteman III to the Sentinel system, led by Northrop Grumman, involves the replacement of more than 600 facilities across five states.
The U.S. Air Force’s troubled Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program faces significant risks from software delays and an extended reliance on the aging Minuteman III system. However, a January 2024 Nunn-McCurdy breach has opened a window to address longstanding issues and potentially improve outcomes, according to a Government Accountability Office snapshot released Feb.
18. The report highlights the challenges in replacing the 50-year-old Minuteman III, a cornerstone of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, with the more advanced Sentinel system.