The program to develop a missile to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), one of the key weapons in the US nuclear arsenal, has officially gone over budget and will now be subject to review, Reuters reports.

Andrew Hunter, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force’s procurement, technology and logistics division, said Friday that the situation needs to be brought to the attention of the U.S. Congress. He also said Northrop Grumman Corp’s missile development program is 37% ahead of the estimated cost agreed in September 2020.

The official attributed the situation to high inflation in the US in recent years, as well as some changes made to the program, such as modifying the silos that will be built to protect the missiles, which will be larger and made of stronger material. materials than in the original plans.

The total cost of the program, now estimated at $131 billion, could rise further as the Defense Department completes its own review by this summer.

The Minuteman III ICBM missile is part of the US nuclear triad

While cost overruns are commonplace at the Defense Department in Washington, replacing the Minuteman III ICBM has proven to be even more expensive to replace than other weapons systems decommissioned in recent decades.

The Minuteman III missile network is part of the United States’ so-called “triad” of nuclear deterrence, consisting of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-powered bombers and nuclear-tipped missile submarines.

“More than 70 years have passed since I did such work. We misjudged it,” an Air Force spokesman said.

The Nunn-McCurdy Act, passed by the US Congress in 1982, requires the Pentagon to formally notify the US legislature when the cost of a procurement program exceeds 25% of the estimate. The law also requires military officials to justify to Congress the importance of such a program and show that there are no alternatives.

Congress should investigate how the costs of the Sentinel program increased

Hunter explained that it was not the replacement of the missiles themselves that led to the sharp increase in costs, but other costs associated with the project, such as the modernization of 450 nuclear mines and related infrastructure.

The Minuteman III missile replacement program, called Sentinel, had an initial budget of $95.8 billion, including all phases required for design, development and deployment.

“Sentinel is absolutely essential to the future of our nuclear deterrent,” said Congressman Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Defense Committee, the lower house of the Washington legislature.

“I am determined to lead a thorough review of the program and ensure that the BBC makes the necessary changes to address the overspending. We will continue to implement this program while the review under the Nunn-McCurdy Act continues,” he added.