House members press Air Force on Sentinel delays and fund shifts
May 30, 2025 | Armed Services: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
House Armed Services Committee members used a fiscal 2026 budget hearing to press Department of the Air Force leaders about the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program and recent moves that shifted funding away from the program.
The committee's chair said Congress has “been explicit about the need to address Sentinel's cost and schedule overruns” and expressed alarm that the Air Force moved $1,200,000,000 out of Sentinel funds in FY25 to meet other priorities. He said Sentinel is “vital to modernizing our triad and ensuring nuclear deterrence.”
Secretary Troy Mink, testifying for the department, said nuclear deterrence is among his top priorities and that he has “spent the most time on” Sentinel since taking the job. Mink said the program is in the midst of reviews and that department leaders are working to make recommended changes to restructure and accelerate the program.
General David Alvin said the Air Force continues to prioritize nuclear modernization, citing Sentinel along with B-21 long-range standoff weapons and command-and-control upgrades.
Several members warned that starting FY26 under continuing resolutions would further risk Sentinel and other modernization efforts. The committee also asked whether the department would consider anomaly or reprogramming requests to protect Sentinel funding if circumstances warranted; Mink said the department would “do whatever it takes” to deliver the program and ensure it is properly funded.
Committee members and service leaders repeatedly framed Sentinel as a high-priority, long-lead modernization with large cost and schedule sensitivity, and sought assurances the Air Force would restore program funding and accelerate recovery plans.
The hearing included questions about the program's survivability and how Sentinel fits into force posture while existing Minuteman III missiles remain in service. Witnesses declined to provide new cost or schedule milestones in public session and said further details would be discussed with the committee in classified or follow-up settings.
The committee's chair said Congress has “been explicit about the need to address Sentinel's cost and schedule overruns” and expressed alarm that the Air Force moved $1,200,000,000 out of Sentinel funds in FY25 to meet other priorities. He said Sentinel is “vital to modernizing our triad and ensuring nuclear deterrence.”
Secretary Troy Mink, testifying for the department, said nuclear deterrence is among his top priorities and that he has “spent the most time on” Sentinel since taking the job. Mink said the program is in the midst of reviews and that department leaders are working to make recommended changes to restructure and accelerate the program.
General David Alvin said the Air Force continues to prioritize nuclear modernization, citing Sentinel along with B-21 long-range standoff weapons and command-and-control upgrades.
Several members warned that starting FY26 under continuing resolutions would further risk Sentinel and other modernization efforts. The committee also asked whether the department would consider anomaly or reprogramming requests to protect Sentinel funding if circumstances warranted; Mink said the department would “do whatever it takes” to deliver the program and ensure it is properly funded.
Committee members and service leaders repeatedly framed Sentinel as a high-priority, long-lead modernization with large cost and schedule sensitivity, and sought assurances the Air Force would restore program funding and accelerate recovery plans.
The hearing included questions about the program's survivability and how Sentinel fits into force posture while existing Minuteman III missiles remain in service. Witnesses declined to provide new cost or schedule milestones in public session and said further details would be discussed with the committee in classified or follow-up settings.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
