Rising Cost Threatens US Nuclear Program

(FeaturedHeadlines.com) The cost of maintaining the US military, let alone modernizing it, is enormous. Although Congress regularly authorizes hundreds of billions of dollars in defense spending, not every project is guaranteed funding, especially if costs balloon from initial estimates. In the case of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, rising costs threaten the initiative’s future.

The Sentinel ICBM program is intended to replace old Minuteman III missiles. The Air Force program, which is overseen by aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman, was initially estimated to cost $95.8 billion. However, the cost has now soared to some $160 billion.

In January 2024, the Air Force notified lawmakers that the program’s cost exceeded baseline projections. The military is required to notify Congress if costs increase by 25% or more over baselines. Furthermore, the Secretary of Defense must justify the program to lawmakers under the statute, lest the program face termination.

US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante said that the Pentagon will restructure the program. The Defense Department appreciates the immense cost of the program, but also the risks of failing to modernize the United States’ nuclear arsenal, LaPlante said.

The higher than expected cost of the program will be offset by cuts to other programs, according to Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife. However, the cuts will not need to take effect immediately, due to expected cost increases for the Sentinel program occurring outside the next five years.

A modified version of the Sentinel program will still likely cost $140.9 billion. It will take the Air Force approximately 18 to 24 months to revise the program and receive approval from the Pentagon. Most of the increased costs are linked to Sentinel’s command and launch components.

The US’ nuclear arsenal is an essential and complicated part of the nation’s defense infrastructure. Regardless, it is subject to the same budgetary limitations and expectations as any other endeavor, requiring officials to either rework the program or see it canceled.

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