BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – North Dakota plays a key role in our nation’s defense. Now it’s at the center of a massive nuclear weapons modernization project.
The Sentinel program is replacing the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, or ICBMs.
The project spans five states, with significant construction planned around Minot Air Force Base.
It’s also an expensive undertaking, as the program has already seen cost hikes and multiple delays.
Last year, news that the program had gone 37% over its budget triggered an automatic review of its plans.
Matt Korda, who authors the “Nuclear Notebook” at the Federation of American Scientists, discussed key points of the project with North Dakota journalists at a special informational session on Tuesday hosted by the North Dakota Monitor.
Korda discussed our state’s role in the program.
“The people of North Dakota, they are living among nuclear missiles on their land. That is not something every state can say. And so North Dakota is quite unique in that sense. And there are going to be a lot of changes, and people are going to feel them,” said Korda.
Construction has yet to begin in North Dakota, though work is underway at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Experts say these weapons could remain in place for 50 to 70 years.
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