Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Air Force are accelerating prototyping of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system’s launch silo tube with a test of concept. The tube is the centerpiece of the new launch silo modular infrastructure design concept, developed by Northrop Grumman and teammate Bechtel, which will enable future maintainability, drive down costs for the Sentinel program, and expedite fielding of 450 future Sentinel launch silos. The Sentinel program is a modernization of the nation’s ground-based leg of the strategic nuclear triad that is designed to be viable through 2075.
Why it Matters
- Rapid Prototyping & Technical Producibility: Within three months of concept review by the Air Force, Northrop Grumman and Bechtel broke ground on a launch silo tube. This prototype will test and validate the structural design and construction approach, underscoring mission readiness to scale production.
- Accelerate Delivery and Performance: Northrop Grumman is expected to compress the multi-year silo-development timeline into a short and decisive window, deploying an efficient launch tube construction approach that reduces risk and accelerates fielding on the path to flight test.
- New Launch Silo Expected to Control Cost: The new design approach is expected to expedite fielding and control cost.
- Future-Ready Maintenance: The design prioritizes maintainability, ensuring that the infrastructure incorporates needs of airmen in the field while enhancing efficiency and reducing long-term costs.
Experts:
Sarah Willoughby, vice president and general manager, Strategic Deterrent Systems, Northrop Grumman: “Sentinel is a national security priority and proving out the launch silo concept is critical to creating a repeatable approach that will accelerate deployment of a fully fielded Sentinel system. The shift in Sentinel silo construction will improve quality and provide a secure, survivable and cost-effective launch silo that is more efficient to maintain.”
Mike Costas, a Bechtel Senior Vice President and General Manager of Defense and Space for Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security, and Environmental, global business unit: “We are honored to be a part of the Sentinel mission to deliver the next generation of national security. The prototype missile silo builds the foundation needed for us to be successful in the field. It builds confidence in our execution plans, while mitigating risks to delivery.”
Details on Program:
The launch silo modular design concept is a brand-new approach to building and operating the silo. The new modular approach is survivable, secure, cost effective and easier to maintain than the Minuteman III ICBM system.
Northrop Grumman leads a nationwide team for the Air Force’s Sentinel engineering and manufacturing development contract. Grounded in digital engineering, Northrop Grumman is completing development and testing to mature the Sentinel design and reduce risk. The Sentinel team has made significant progress including testing of missile components, development of command and control equipment, prototyping of security sensors, and design of critical support equipment.
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated all propulsive elements of the Sentinel missile. These include test firing stages-one, two and –three and completing a hot fire test of the post boost propulsion system, which propels the post boost attitude control module and positions the reentry vehicle in flight. The team also completed the critical design review for the Sentinel Launch Support System, paving the way for system build, test, and qualification. For more about Sentinel, go to www.northropgrumman.com/sentinel.
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