# Ground BASED Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) — Program Element 0605238F

**Program element:** 0605238F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605238F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding ramps 73% to a $4.52B request in FY2027, sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators cut 4.1% (to $4.33B). Northrop Grumman leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 1,942.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 2,616.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 4,521.4 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 4,657.1 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 4,319.4 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 4,743.3 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 4,384.4 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 4,521.4 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 4,521.4 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 4,521.4 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 4,334.0 | −187.4 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 655238 | GROUND BASED STRATEGIC DETERRENT (GBSD) | 1,942.4 | 2,616.4 | 4,521.4 | +73% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 655238 — GROUND BASED STRATEGIC DETERRENT (GBSD)

The GBSD program has been designated as the LGM-35A Sentinel. The LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system, being developed in the Sentinel Systems Program Office of the ICBM Systems Directorate, incorporates the Sentinel weapon system which is called out in related ICBM Systems Directorate portfolio programs that includes Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Reentry Vehicles and ICBM Fuze Modernization. The LGM-35A Sentinel program is modernizing the U.S. ground-based nuclear deterrent by replacing the aging Minuteman III ICBM system. The Sentinel program will develop, produce, and deploy a fully integrated ICBM weapon system designed for enhanced safety, security, reliability, and effectiveness. This next-generation system aims to lower lifecycle costs while closing key capability gaps and addressing vulnerabilities identified in prior assessments. The program also mitigates the diminishing effectiveness of the current land-based deterrent caused by the age and obsolescence of Minuteman III components. Integrated with the Minuteman III program office within the ICBM Systems Directorate, the Sentinel program will manage the complex transition between systems. This includes overseeing contractor development of essential support equipment, data systems, flight test infrastructure, and training systems. Throughout this process, the program prioritizes risk mitigation and ensures adherence to strict nuclear surety, certification, and vulnerability assessment protocols. Key technical areas include: Flight Systems (missile boosters, re-entry vehicle, and guidance systems); Command & Launch (secure and reliable communication and control systems); Infrastructure & Deployment (training, maintenance, and launch infrastructure; fielding and system deployment); Software (robust and resilient weapon system software ecosystem); Systems Engineering (overall system design, cybersecurity, and modular architectures); and Test (developmental, operational, and live fire testing for safety and effectiveness). Effective program management will leverage digital engineering capabilities, oversee program execution, and manage major contracts. The FY 2027 funding will continue execution of the prime contract and advance key Sentinel program activities.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Northrop Grumman (3,512.7, 78%), BAE (211.0, 4.7%), Arnold Engineering Development Complex (68.9, 1.5%), US Gov Civilians (42.2, 0.9%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Systems | 522.6 | 858.0 | 1,452.8 |
| Command & Launch | 385.7 | 482.0 | 981.7 |
| Infrastructure & Deployment | 147.6 | 168.3 | 167.8 |
| Software | 143.5 | 158.8 | 292.7 |
| Systems Engineering | 303.3 | 395.9 | 783.0 |
| Test | 136.5 | 193.9 | 409.8 |
| Government Support | 303.1 | 359.4 | 433.6 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 86% | 3,903.6 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 5.7% | 255.9 |
| Other / unspecified | 8.0% | 361.9 |

**Top named industry performers:** Northrop Grumman ($3.51B, 78%), BAE ($211.0M, 4.7%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The GBSD program has been designated as the LGM-35A Sentinel. The LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system, being developed in the Sentinel Systems Program Office of the ICBM Systems Directorate, incorporates the Sentinel weapon system which is called out in related ICBM Systems Directorate portfolio programs that includes Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Reentry Vehicles and ICBM Fuze Modernization. The LGM-35A Sentinel program is modernizing the U.S. ground-based nuclear deterrent by replacing the aging Minuteman III ICBM system.

The Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) dated July 8, 2024 recertified the LGM-35A Sentinel program to continue in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 4376. The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) rescinded the program's Milestone B approval and the original Acquisition Program Baseline approved on September 4, 2020. The Air Force shall restructure the LGM-35A Sentinel program prior to MDA approval of a new Milestone B and develop a modified acquisition strategy that reflects the restructured Sentinel program.

## Related program elements

- [0603851F — Intercontinental Ballistic Missile - Dem/Val](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603851F) (Air Force)
- [0101328F — ICBM Reentry Vehicles](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101328F) (Air Force)
- [0605813M — Joint Light Tactical Veh (JLTV) Sys Dev & Dem](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605813M) (Navy)
- [0604262N — V-22A](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604262N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0605238F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0605238F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*