Land-based intercontinentals in countries around the globeMissilesThe development of the United States' next generation of land-based intercontinentalMissilesR&D has always been in the spotlight. Due to the long-standing use of the Minuteman III Intercontinental in the United StatesMissilesHas been in service for more than 60 years, in the strategic security environment and technical conditions of the 21st century, this oldMissilesIt is no longer possible to use it. Hence the land-based intercontinental of the United StatesMissilesThe development plan is imminent, but it faces a series of dilemmas and challenges.
At present, the United States is facing problems such as the disconnection of the talent team and the increasing cost of research and development. The U.S. Congress has limits on R&D investment in budget allocations, and a new generation of land-based intercontinentalMissilesThe development of the company requires a lot of financial support. In addition, made by Northrop GrummanLGM-35A Sentinel ICBMThe cost also seriously exceeded the original plan, and the project was likely to be terminated without additional budget increases.
U.S. Air ForceRepresentation,SentinelThe cost of the plan has exceeded what was originally planned. An intercontinentalMissilesThe total cost of the program was increased from the original 1$1.8 billion grew to $1$6.2 billion, an increase of 37%. Under the U.S. Congress's defense procurement program, a planned procurement is considered to be severely damaged when the cost of a planned procurement is 25 percent higher than the target cost, or 50 percent more than the original cost.
Northrop Grumman was awarded a $13.3 billion contract in 2020 for constructionSentinelIntercontinentalMissiles, but currently for the finalization of the projectProcurement costsNot sure. Moreover, the date of the program's achievement of initial operational capability will also be postponed by two years, and it is expected that it will not be able to enter combat readiness until 2029. The Accountability Office even warned that the deadline could be pushed back until around the spring of 2030. These uncertainties have created more risks and uncertainties for the project.
In addition,U.S. Air ForceIt is also necessary to build 400 new silos, update 12,070 kilometers of cables, procure a large number of trucks, training and command buildings and 659 piecesMissiles。Such a huge scale of the project poses a great challenge to the United States' own technical capabilities and financial reserves.
In the face of increasing R&D costs and technological risks, will the United States finally abandon land-based intercontinental?MissilesIt has become a matter of great concern. From the current point of view, this possibility exists.
On the one hand, abandon land-based intercontinentalMissileswill make the U.S. nuclear strategy safe fromTrinitybecomesSea-basedThe pattern of nuclear forces as the mainstay, supplemented by the nuclear forces of the Air Force. This change will have an impact on the strategy of the United StatesMilitaryCapacity and international standing have a greater impact. On the other hand, abandon land-based intercontinentalMissilesIt can also alleviate the pressure and predicament of the current US defense budget to a certain extent.
However, abandon land-based intercontinentalMissilesThere are also certain risks. Technically, land-based intercontinentalMissilesis one of the most covert and stable parts of the U.S. nuclear forces, capable of providing global strike and nuclear deterrence capabilities. If completely dependentSea-basedand space-based nuclear forces, which will face more challenges and uncertainties.
America's next generation of land-based intercontinentalMissilesThe program faces serious challenges and dilemmas. Rising R&D costs, technical risks and budget pressures threatened to halt the project. Abandonment of land-based intercontinentalMissilesIt would have a significant impact on the strategic security and international standing of the United States in nuclear weapons, but would also be able to alleviate the current financial pressures. However, abandon land-based intercontinentalMissilesIt also brings more technical and security risks. Under the current complex and volatile international situation, the United States needs to weigh various factors and make a strategic choice that is in line with its national interests and long-term development.