ICBM Modernization

The Air Force is moving from the aging Minuteman III system to the new Sentinel ICBM, but critical delays and restructuring are forcing the Pentagon to extend Minuteman operations—possibly into 2050. GAO found that while transition plans exist, there’s no formal risk management plan to track threats, costs, or workforce challenges. Security forces and maintenance teams face training and staffing gaps, and key infrastructure like the Sentinel test facility lacks a schedule. Without stronger oversight, detailed planning, and timely decisions, the transition risks undermining strategic deterrence.