The U.S. military's new intercontinental missile has finally revealed its true appearance, marking the first time this missile has been publicly shown in full. This indicates that the overall design is basically complete. However, what is standing upright is merely a model—without warheads, engines, or fuel—and thus cannot be launched. The U.S. military plans to conduct its first test launch next year.
This missile is named "Sentinel," designed to replace the decades-old Minuteman-3. It is larger and heavier than the Minuteman-3, making it impossible to fit into the old silos. Even if forced in, the internal servo mechanisms and base supports would not withstand the stress, leaving insufficient safety margins and posing excessive risk. Therefore, the U.S. military must dig new silos—but construction progress has been slow. As a result, early test launches will have to rely on open-air launch platforms.
So why the rush to unveil the model? There are two reasons. First, to respond to domestic skepticism. The project’s budget has surged dramatically, with total expenditures exceeding initial estimates by over 80%, making it one of the most overspent programs in the U.S. military this century. More embarrassingly, test launches have been delayed at least three times, pushed all the way to next year. Before this, no one knew what the missile actually looked like, leading to growing doubts about whether it even truly exists. The military now needs to provide Congress with reassurance that the project remains on track.
Second, to accelerate finalization. While the physical model removes hazardous components, its outer casing and internal wiring are identical to those of an actual missile. The U.S. military uses a vertical assembly process—building the three-stage structure layer by layer like stacking blocks—to test whether mechanical interfaces between stages fit perfectly and whether load-bearing fasteners are secure.
Once placed in a silo, the missile will stand vertically for decades. Over time, the outer shell and internal components will gradually deform and fatigue. These changes require long-term observation, and the model provides valuable reference data. The model also helps determine optimal silo dimensions and trains the first group of operators. The mission of the ICBM force is far from simply pressing a button—they must maintain and calibrate the missile system for long periods inside underground bunkers. Developing these skills takes significant time and cannot wait until the missile enters service.
However, the model is only a milestone achievement—not a guarantee that subsequent production and test launches will proceed smoothly. The last time the U.S. built an ICBM of this scale was decades ago. Having the research capability and producing a launch-ready missile are entirely different matters. Engine performance and solid fuel specifications differ significantly from those used in naval submarine-launched missiles, requiring entirely new production lines and manufacturing processes to be developed. For now, the U.S. military can only place its hopes on next year’s test launch, hoping nothing goes wrong.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876474018469900/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.