GROUND BASED STRATEGIC DETERRENT (GBSD)
Abstract
To differentiate between Sentinel Systems Directorate and the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) now known as the Sentinel program, the GBSD program has been designated as the LGM-35A Sentinel. The LGM-35A Sentinel incorporates the Sentinel weapon system which is called out in related Sentinel System Directorate portfolio programs that includes Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Reentry Vehicles and ICBM Fuze Modernization. The LGM-35A Sentinel program will design, develop, produce, and deploy a replacement for the current Minuteman III (MM III) ICBM weapon system in order to maintain a safe, secure, reliable, and effective nuclear deterrent. The LGM-35A Sentinel program will deliver a fully integrated weapon system that will lower lifecycle costs and close key capability gaps and vulnerabilities identified in the LGM-35A Sentinel Capabilities Based Assessment, LGM-35A Sentinel Capabilities Development Document, and the LGM-35A Sentinel Analysis of Alternatives. LGM-35A Sentinel will also mitigate ground-based deterrent degradation due to MM III component age-out and attrition. The LGM-35A Sentinel program will include prime contractor development of applicable support equipment, data, flight test hardware and infrastructure, and training systems while examining and mitigating risk during the MM III to LGM-35A Sentinel transition. The LGM-35A Sentinel program office has partnered with MM III program office to facilitate communication and integration of the weapon system recapitalization during the transition. This program includes any needed nuclear surety and certification and system vulnerability assessments. During the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, the LGM-35A Sentinel program will execute 1) government system engineering, analytics, and test capability development; 2) air vehicle equipment development; 3) command & launch systems development; 4) infrastructure and deployment development; 5) support systems development; and 6) weapon system integration. Government systems engineering investments include development in model-based systems engineering (MBSE), integration, test software, product life-cycle management framework, and modernization of existing system engineering/integration labs and infrastructure. Air vehicle equipment is an integrated missile stack including the propulsion, post-boost, guidance, and re-entry systems sub-components. Command & launch encompasses all command and control mission equipment and interfaces; Integrated Command Center; cryptologic and cryptographic systems, software and associated interfaces; communications systems hardware, software, and associated interfaces; associated air and ground hardware; air and ground control equipment; and associated software directly related to the survivability, monitoring, and launch of the replacement flight system. Launch systems include launch centers, launch facilities, associated structures, ground mechanical systems, and security systems. Support systems include operator and maintainer training systems hardware and software, security system architecture, transport support equipment, program office and weapon system facilities, and support equipment. Weapon system integration risk reduction includes non-proprietary open systems architecture with well-defined interfaces and a modular design at the weapon system level to allow future modification and technology insertion. As LGM-35A Sentinel progresses toward Critical Design Review (CDR), the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system design will dictate the parameters for the MILCON real property requirements and their integration with the weapon system component requirements as these are inextricably linked. The funding required for Fiscal Year 2025 will be used to continue the execution of the EMD contract to advance LGM-35A Sentinel program major activities to include systems engineering, information technology, data management, analytical capabilities and to deliver a flexible, integrated weapon system critical design. The program will modify, modernize, and expand the analytic environment and labs to support EMD activities to enable full execution of the program's capability to own the technical baseline throughout the program life cycle. This involves establishing a digital engineering system including a supporting environment / infrastructure to perform digital activities, to collaborate with, and to communicate across stakeholders. The LGM-35A Sentinel program will continue to examine and mature air vehicle equipment, command and launch, cybersecurity, operator and maintenance training systems hardware and software, security system architecture, transport sub-systems, Support Equipment and associated ground technologies. The program will also continue to mature and refine weapon system and non-operational software, software integration and development, modular system architecture requirements, and product life-cycle management. This will continue to require execution and improvement to the unified certification strategy facilitating system validation and verification for nuclear surety, cyber security, and nuclear safety requirements. The program will also expand and mature the analytical, information technology, test, and data management capabilities to ensure access to weapon system design information is properly controlled and securely transmitted between government and contractors. The program will continue to develop Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) test capabilities and provision Western Range Test capabilities for the Flight Test Program. Additionally, the LGM-35A Sentinel program funds all required developmental and operational test and evaluation activities to meet initial and full operational capability milestones including, but not limited to, developing, improving, and modernizing test capabilities essential to reaching those milestones when existing test capabilities are inadequate or non-existent. The program will also continue development of capabilities to meet the requirement for dual-capable, air based, secondary launch platform. Finally, the program will establish a government-owned and government-operated DevSecOps / software stack within a cloud environment. In compliance: FY24 RDT&E funding for PE 0605230F, Program LGM-35A Sentinel is in compliance with budgeted end items per the approved test strategy and FY23 Omnibus, Sec. 8059. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2023 $31.786M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2024 $49.200M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 655238_0605238F_5_3600_PB_2025
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