US Air Force's Sentinel ICBM Program Costs Soar 81% to $160 Billion

Jul 5, 2024, 09:45 PM

The cost of the US Air Force's Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program has significantly increased. Initially estimated at $78 billion in mid-2020, the program's cost projections have now soared to approximately $160 billion, representing an 81% increase. The Sentinel ICBM program, which aims to replace the aging Minuteman III nuclear missiles, has faced multiple cost revisions. Sources indicate that the program's cost per missile has swelled to $214 million. This substantial rise in costs is attributed to flawed command and launch segment estimates made during the Trump administration. Earlier estimates had placed the cost at $95.8 billion, and recent projections also noted a $141 billion figure.