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Air Force's $141B Sentinel Program Faces Major Delays

2/21/2026

47 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Government Accountability Office reports software delays in the U.S. Air Force LGM-35A Sentinel program, making first flight unlikely before March 2028.
The program's cost has risen to about $141 billion and it is four years behind schedule.
The GAO says delays could extend the operational life of the LGM-30G Minuteman III missiles until 2050 or later.
The Air Force maintains confidence in an accelerated timeline despite the GAO findings.

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Story summary

The Government Accountability Office reports software delays in the U.S. Air Force LGM-35A Sentinel program, making first flight unlikely before March 2028.
The program's cost has risen to about $141 billion and it is four years behind schedule.
The GAO says delays could extend the operational life of the LGM-30G Minuteman III missiles until 2050 or later.
The Air Force maintains confidence in an accelerated timeline despite the GAO findings.