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US may build Sentinel nuclear missile silos on private lands

US may build Sentinel nuclear missile silos on private lands
Source: interestingengineering
Author: @IntEngineering
Published: 8/29/2025

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The U.S. Air Force is considering building hundreds of new missile silos on private lands as part of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, which aims to replace the aging Minuteman III fleet. Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, emphasized that constructing new silos could save time and money by avoiding delays associated with converting existing silos while the Minuteman III missiles remain operational. However, some new silo sites may require purchasing private property. The Sentinel program will operate out of missile fields at Minot (North Dakota), F.E. Warren (Wyoming), and Malmstrom (Montana) Air Force Bases, with Minot scheduled to be the last base to transition, potentially extending into the 2040s. Officials highlighted that new silos could mitigate current facility issues such as flooding risks and hazards from nearby wind turbines, and community input will be

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energynuclear-energymissile-silosdefense-technologystrategic-deterrencemilitary-infrastructureintercontinental-ballistic-missiles