Cramer Questions U.S. Air Force Leadership on Sentinel Program, Space Acquisition

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) shined a light on the country’s defense modernization efforts, space-based capabilities, and plans for replacing an icon of the Cold War when Department of the Air Force leaders appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to outline the department’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request and strategic priorities. Lawmakers heard testimony from Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach, and Chief of Space Operations General B. Chance Saltzman emphasizing the need for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force to deter adversaries and defend the homeland across every domain of conflict. Cramer, chairman of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, spoke with the witnesses on key national security priorities, including progress on the Sentinel program and Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) acquisition efforts. The Sentinel program is set to begin replacing the aging Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fleet in 2030, ushering in the next generation of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. First deployed in the 1960s, the Minuteman III ICBM has remained the backbone of America’s land-based nuclear deterrent for nearly six decades. Today, roughly 400 missiles remain on alert across three bases, including Minot Air Force Base. Just one year ago, the Sentinel program faced uncertainty due to mounting cost overruns and delays. Now, officials say the effort is regaining momentum under President Trump’s leadership and General Dale White’s oversight. According to Cramer, General White recently indicated the program remains on pace to complete its restructuring and re-achieve Milestone B this year, with a first test flight targeted for next year. During today’s SASC hearing, Cramer questioned Secretary Meink on the program’s progress. Secretary Meink pointed to Sentinel as a model for the department’s broader acquisition reform efforts, saying success comes from empowering strong leadership with the authority to manage complex requirements. He also underscored the scale of the effort, calling Sentinel the largest public works project undertaken since the original ICBM program. “Basically, getting a good team and giving them the ability to work those requirements to accelerate and make it executable is what's done the job,” explained Secretary Meink. Cramer asked about the lessons learned saying, “Maybe we should think about maintaining on a more regular basis and modernizing the systems rather than just doing a new one every 50 or 60 years. It's amazing how much institutional knowledge you lose in 50 or 60 years.” “I believe we have learned our lesson,” said Secretary Meink. “But we need to keep remembering those lessons as we move forward.” Shifting to space acquisition, Cramer also raised concerns about a lack of real competition in the Department of the Air Force’s recent PLEO contracting efforts. While the Air Moving Target Indications (AMTI) and Space Data Network (SDN) programs were officially open for bids, Cramer said tight timelines and restrictive requirements meant only one company was realistically positioned to compete. During the hearing, Cramer pressed Secretary Meink on how the Department can move quickly without shutting out competition, particularly when it comes to building a broader industrial base, supporting additional suppliers, and preventing monopolies in key space capabilities. “There was a need for speed in some of these programs, and just the critical nature of some of these capabilities […] drove us to push,” said Secretary Meink. “On the other hand, as you mentioned, both with AMTI and many of the other programs, we are carrying multiple other vendors so that we can grow competition in the first place to make sure we have this continual competitive industry base going forward.” Cramer said the Department of the Air Force appears to be striking the balance “very well,” adding the approach sends a strong and clear demand signal to industry.