US Air Force Modernizes Infrastructure for Sentinel ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System.

The U.S. Air Force is modernizing infrastructure for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, actively engaging the public through town hall meetings in Great Falls and Lewistown to provide updates on the program. Scheduled for September 4 and 5, these meetings aim to inform the public about the transition from the aging Minuteman III ICBM system to the new Sentinel system. This modernization effort is significant, impacting not only Air Force bases like Malmstrom but also the surrounding communities and infrastructure.
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The LGM-35A Sentinel is a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile designed to replace the aging Minuteman III (Picture source: Northrop Grumman)

In service since the 1970s, the Minuteman III system has undergone various upgrades, but much of its fundamental infrastructure remains from the original system. The Sentinel program will replace this with a more advanced system across three bases, including Malmstrom, covering a wide area with 400 deployed missiles, 450 silos, and over 600 related facilities across six states.

The LGM-35A Sentinel is a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile designed to replace the aging Minuteman III. It features a three-stage solid-fuel engine, providing it with the range necessary to reach targets worldwide. The missile is guided by an advanced astro-inertial navigation system supplemented by GPS, ensuring precise targeting. The Sentinel can carry multiple warheads, including the W87 mod 0 thermonuclear warhead with a yield of 300 kilotons of TNT, and the W87 mod 1 warhead, although the yield of the latter remains unspecified. The missile can perform both ground and air detonations, offering flexibility in its deployment. The Sentinel will be launched from missile silos, maintaining the strategic deterrent capability of the U.S. nuclear triad.

In preparation for the Sentinel system, both on-base and off-base infrastructure projects are underway. On base, the Air Force is constructing and renovating facilities to support command, communications, maintenance, and training related to the Sentinel system. Off base, significant construction efforts include the renovation of 15 missile alert facilities, 150 launch facilities, and the construction of 31 new communication towers. Additionally, there will be a substantial expansion of utility corridors, with more than 1,200 miles of new utility lines being installed.

The Sentinel project has also required the creation of workforce hubs in Great Falls and Lewistown, where thousands of workers will temporarily reside during peak construction years. In parallel, staging areas are being established in several locations to support construction efforts.

The impact of this project extends to local infrastructure, particularly in the Lewistown area. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have agreed to replace 11 bridges near MT 81 as part of the Sentinel project. These updates are essential to accommodate the increased weight and size of the equipment that will be used for the Sentinel missile system.

As the project progresses, the Air Force is committed to coordinating with local authorities to ensure that all necessary permits are obtained and that local communities are informed and involved in the decision-making process. This collaboration is seen as crucial to addressing the logistical and infrastructural challenges posed by the Sentinel project.