Sentinel

The US Air Force has begun in-field construction of the new Sentinel ICBM, marking a significant milestone in the program. The Sentinel ICBM is a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile system designed to replace the existing Minuteman III. This development is part of the Air Force's efforts to modernize its nuclear deterrent capabilities.

RTX and Northrop Grumman have reported significant increases in their backlogs, driven by demand for defense programs such as Patriot, AMRAAM, Sentinel, and IBCS. RTX's backlog reached $119 billion, while Northrop Grumman's reached $104.7 billion. Both companies saw increased sales, with RTX posting $24.7 billion in second-quarter sales and Northrop Grumman reporting $20.0 billion in net awards.

The US Air Force has commenced construction on a utility corridor for the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in western Nebraska to mark the milestone. The project is part of the Air Force's efforts to develop and deploy the Sentinel ICBM system.

Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory has been awarded a $199 million contract to support the Sentinel missile program, which aims to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The contract will provide research and development engineering support through July 2029.

Northrop Grumman is expanding its Utah site to support the next-generation Sentinel ICBM program, creating hundreds of high-paying jobs. The investment aims to advance the US strategic deterrence program. This expansion is part of the company's efforts to contribute to the nation's defense capabilities.

Lockheed Martin has secured a $3 billion framework agreement for the production and delivery of Sentinel A4 radars. The agreement was signed with the U.S. Department of War on June 30. The contract includes engineering support for the radar systems.

The 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command deployed a Data Assessment Team to analyze data during Operation Sentinel Justice 26, providing insights to improve decision-making. The team's goal is to turn raw information into actionable insights, helping the Army Reserve understand what works and what needs improvement. This effort is part of the Army's modernization efforts, treating data as a warfighting function.

The US Army Combined Arms Support Command has introduced the 'Ask Chief' chatbot, a 24/7 AI expert for sustainment readiness and maintenance queries. The chatbot is part of the Sustainment Sentinel AI system, aiming to provide immediate support to soldiers and commanders. This innovation is designed to enhance readiness and efficiency within the Army.

The 75th USARIC's contract support team managed essential contracts for Operation Sentinel Justice 26, the largest US Army Reserve exercise in history. Over 12,000 service members trained across multiple states. The team's efforts enabled support and sustainment for the exercise.

The US Army tested a self-driving railcar to move military cargo in a training exercise. The railcar, built by Intramotev, successfully transported actual military cargo without prior notice.

The US is participating in Exercise Resolute Sentinel - Salitre 2026, a multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Chilean Air Force. The exercise aims to strengthen international partnerships and features aircraft, crews, and support personnel from across the Americas. The US participation is led by 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern.

Kopin's Sentinel First Person Viewer has attracted interest for its potential in achieving drone dominance. The technology is being considered for its applications in unmanned systems. The viewer is designed to provide a first-person perspective, enhancing the operator's experience and control over the drone.

Lockheed Martin has been awarded two separate $3 billion contracts by the US Army, one for the production of GMLRS rockets and another for the production of Sentinel A4 radars. The GMLRS contract will support US Army precision fires and munitions readiness, while the Sentinel A4 contract will provide additional ground-based air surveillance systems. Both contracts will run through mid-2031 and include production and engineering services.

Northrop Grumman has publicly shown the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile hardware for the first time, showcasing the nose section after completing a structural validation milestone. The Sentinel ICBM is the US's next-generation strategic deterrent, moving towards flight testing after validating critical hardware in an acoustic test.

The US Air Force is preparing to contract Lockheed Martin to integrate a nuclear warhead into the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, replacing the aging Minuteman III system. This step is crucial in transferring the country's ground-based nuclear deterrent to the new system. The Sentinel ICBM is a critical component of the US nuclear defense strategy.

The 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command's Fleet Assessment Team gathered real-world performance data from Army Reserve rotational training units. This effort aims to establish performance benchmarks for future exercises. The team's mission is to evaluate equipment utilization across future battlefields.