U.S. Air Force's Next ICBM Faces A Year-Long Delay

US Air Force artist’s rendering of the Sentinel in flight. (Credit: US Air Force)  

Breaking Defense: Sentinel ICBM faces year delay, Air Force One and F-15EX also at risk: GAO  

A new watchdog report warns of a year-long delay for America's next ICBM, as well as potential schedule slips for F-15EX, KC-46A and the Air Force One replacement. 

WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s $96 billion Sentinel program that will field a new fleet of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles is staring down a delay of about a year, the Government Accountability Office warned in a new report today. 

GAO’s annual review of Pentagon weapon systems [PDF] also raised concerns about other key Air Force programs, such as the F-15EX, KC-46A and Air Force One replacement known as the VC-25B. 

Top officials have signaled in recent months that the Sentinel could fall behind, pointing to issues such as supply chain constraints and workforce disruption. A timeline graphic compiled by GAO now states the missile’s initial operational capability (IOC) date is estimated for between April and June 2030, a delay of approximately one year.  

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Update #1: US Air Force's $96 Billion Northrop ICBM Faces 1+ Year Delay (NOC) (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: New ICBM Delayed at Least a Year, GAO Says (Defense One)  

WNU Editor: A year delay will also mean cost over-runs.