Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force have successfully completed the first qualification test of the stage-two solid rocket motor for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Conducted inside a vacuum chamber at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tennessee, the test replicated flight conditions and assessed both the stage-two motor and its Thrust Vector Control system.
Engineers employed advanced digital modeling to design the motor, enabling them to directly compare simulated performance with real-world test results—streamlining design updates and validation.
This test represents a key milestone in the multi-phase campaign for the Sentinel’s development. The stage-two motor, forming the middle segment of the three-stage missile, underwent testing aimed at verifying digital models and advancing design maturity.
The effort builds upon earlier evaluations of the stage-one and development motors, providing essential data for the missile’s ongoing evolution.
In parallel, the broader Sentinel program continues testing critical subsystems including command and control, communications, and support infrastructure.
As the designated replacement for the aging Minuteman III (LGM-30), the LGM-35A Sentinel aims to modernize the land-based leg of the US nuclear triad. The program will replace 400 missiles across Air Force bases in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, alongside major upgrades to launch facilities, communication systems, and related infrastructure.
The Minuteman III’s retirement will also involve a phased demilitarization and disposal process.
