Northrop Grumman successfully conducted the first serious static test launch of a Stage 1 solid rocket motor for the LGM-35A Sentinel to replace the US Air Force’s Minuteman III nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Since the 1960s, America’s strategic defense has relied on a nuclear triad of heavy bombers, ballistic missile submarines, and land-based ICBMs armed with nuclear warheads. The strategy behind this is to face potential enemies with her three different systems based on three different domains. Not only does this split up the attack, but it also increases the chances of enough triads to survive the initial attack and deliver a crushing retaliation.
Since 1970, the Triad’s ground-based leg has consisted of approximately 450 Minuteman III missiles stationed in reinforced underground bunkers in the center of the continental United States. These have been maintained and upgraded over the years, but are nearing the end of their useful life and will be phased out in favor of Sentinels based on the refurbished Minuteman III silo from 2029. increase.
Northrop Grumman
Although it’s difficult to tell from the outside the massive missile, the Sentinel was designed to require less personnel to operate and require less maintenance than the Minuteman III.
The three-stage launcher will carry a 300-kiloton W87-0 warhead and will be armed with the W87-1 from 2030, with a power output yet to be determined. The Sentinel’s basic design is modular with open architecture software, making it much easier to maintain and upgrade while facilitating competition by defense contractors.
Phase 1 live-fire testing was conducted at Northrop’s facility in Promontory, Utah. Preliminary findings indicate that the motor fired within predicted performance parameters for the predicted duration.
Northrop Grumman
The company is responsible for the development of the first and second stages of Sentinel. Once the full missile is assembled, it undergoes flight testing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California.
Vice President Sarah Willoughby said: Sentinel, Northrop Grumman. “This result allows us to validate and lock in the first stage motor performance before entering qualification testing and complete the system analysis. It is key to reducing the risk of moving to
Source: Northrop Grumman
