 "An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 2:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, U.S., August 2, 2017. Source: Reuters")
The US Air Force has unveiled plans to keep its 1970s-era intercontinental ballistic missiles in service for 11 more years, until 2050. The previous strategy included keeping the Boeing-made 400 Minuteman III ICBMs in silos until 2039 and gradually replace them with new Sentinel models.
However, the Sentinel has been plagued with delays and increasing costs, forcing policymakers to rely on the 1970s-era missiles for a decade longer than originally planned. After all, the transition from Minuteman III to Sentinel must take place smoothly without compromising the nation’s nuclear guard.
Notably, Sentinel would be a key component of the USA’s nuclear triad, covering the land-based portion.
In a statement to Bloomberg, the US Air Force said it was continuing to develop a new acquisition strategy.
“Further details will be available after the updated strategy is approved, which is currently expected in 2026,” it said. “The Air Force will not have a new timeline and phasing for transition from the Minuteman III to Sentinel “until the program is restructured,” the statement added.
US Air Force aware of risks
Bloomberg reported that the US Air Force’s “Integrated Product Team” convened last month at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and discussed risks associated with extending the service of Minuteman III ICBMs by 11 years.
The meeting was not intended “to recommend end-of-life dates for MMIII but to communicate risks and mitigation strategies to the Air Force for continued sustainment of MMIII until Sentinel is fielded,” according to the statement.
“The program office uses meetings like this as part of a regular rhythm to discuss strategies to ensure the effectiveness of the ground-based nuclear deterrent,” it added.
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More ShortsB-52 long-range strategic bombers to stay in service for 30 more years
Meanwhile, there are reports that the US may also keep its aging fleet of B-52 long-range strategic bombers in service for three more decades.
The fleet, which first flew in the 1950s, “will continue to serve as a vital component of the nuclear triad,” said US Air Force Global Strike Command (GSC) in a statement.
Initially built as a high-altitude, high-speed nuclear bomber, the B-52 now serves as a platform for long-range cruise missile deployment, carrying and launching the AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).
“Over the next decade, the B-52 will receive the ALCM’s follow-on in the LRSO missile,” GSC said. “Once these efforts are complete, the aircraft will have sufficient structural longevity to serve into the 2050s,” the command added.