Sentinel ICBM program ‘struggling’ with ‘unknown unknowns’: Kendall
Kendall also expressed concern about the effects of a likely continuing resolution on key programs, including the Advanced Battle Management System and the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.
By THERESA HITCHENS
on November 13, 2023 at 5:15 PM
US Air Force artist’s rendering of the Sentinel in flight. (Credit: US Air Force)
WASHINGTON — Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said today he is “nervous” about unforeseen challenges in the $96 billion LGM-35A Sentinel program to develop a next-generation nuclear missile that will push up costs — with the service now assessing what changes may be required.
“Sentinel, I think, is quite honestly struggling a little bit. There are unknown unknowns that are surfacing … in the program and that the department is gonna have to work its way through,” he told the Center for a New American Security.
Air Force leaders for some time have been raising red flags about a possible delay in the program, with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in June finding that a year delay was likely. Up to now, however, service officials have asserted that it still will be possible for it to meet the 2030 deadline for initial operational capability.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/sentinel-icbm-program-struggling-with-unknown-unknowns-kendall/
