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USAF to finish Sentinel (LGM-35A) restructure by 2026 after Milestone B revocation; IOC pushed to early 2030s

The U.S. Air Force restructured the LGM‑35A "Sentinel" ICBM after a Nunn‑McCurdy review revoked Milestone B amid soaring costs (about $141 billion) and schedule slip. The service aims to complete the restructure and reach Milestone B by end‑2026, with a missile‑pad test next year and IOC in the early 2030s.

Discovered 2026-02-17T08:53:48.149477-08:00 | 2026-02-17T08:53:48.149477-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The Sentinel restructure resets program baseline, cost and schedule after a Nunn‑McCurdy Milestone B revocation; completion and a Milestone B decision are targeted by end‑2026, impacting a ~$141 billion program and contractor timelines (see prior restructure coverage).

  • Planned missile‑pad testing next year and an initial operational capability in the early 2030s shift force‑posture and sustainment planning and intersect with ongoing work to reestablish airborne ICBM‑launch command capability (context on Looking Glass/airborne launch work).

Reported By

Aerotech News UK Defence Journal Stars and Stripes space24.pl news.defcros.com The War Zone
Sources Tracked
41
First Seen
2026-02-17T08:53:48.149477-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-23T08:16:45.213154-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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