Northrop Grumman CEO says Sentinel missile on track for first flight in 2027

Northrop Grumman says the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile has passed an Air Force design-maturity milestone supporting a first flight in 2027. During the third quarter of 2026, the company completed the first full vertical assembly of an inert missile at Vandenberg Space Force Base, integrating its stages, propulsion elements and associated components. Further missile integration and testing will proceed alongside development of launch facilities, command centres and command-and-control equipment. Northrop expects these activities to continue over several years before an integrated test campaign and possible production increases toward the end of the decade.