USAF, Northrop Grumman vertically assemble inert LGM-35A Sentinel missile
Acoustic testing for the LGM-35A was done in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in December 2025. (Northrop Grumman)
The US Air Force (USAF) and Northrop Grumman announced the vertical assembly of a fully integrated inert LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 14 September 2026.
Northrop Grumman said that “all missile stages, propulsion elements, the shroud, and associated components” were assembled after travelling cross-country via “specialized transport and mobile crane operations”.
The missile was stacked and de-stacked on a test pad as part of a four-month dry-run exercise dubbed “Pathfinder”.
“The vertical assembly demonstrates the design and integration of the missile and is a major step toward the Sentinel missile's design and suitability evaluation for flight test in 2027,” Northrop Grumman said in a 14 September company statement.
Northrop Grumman and the USAF 719th Test Squadron also completed the first flight test Critical Design Review for Sentinel, validating that the missile meets all USAF requirements for performance, safety, and schedule ahead of the programme's first flight test in 2027.
For more, please see: Northrop Grumman breaks ground on expanded Utah facility
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