With an evolving threat environment and increasingly capable adversaries, the demand to update our Nation’s existing land-based strategic deterrence system has become more urgent. A next-generation, modern solution has arisen from this need that will provide reliable deterrence for decades to come. The U.S. Air Force’s LGM-35A Sentinel is a key modernization program that will provide sustained deterrence that is more credible, responsive and reliable.
L3Harris has helped power the United States’ arsenal for decades, providing unmatched speed, reliability and capacity in propulsion systems. This experience plays a vital role in the company's ability to provide the post boost propulsion system (PBPS) and the Stage 3 solid rocket motor (SRM) for the Sentinel program.
As a committed partner of Northrop Grumman’s nationwide Sentinel industry team, L3Harris has made substantial investments in capacity expansion to accelerate Sentinel production, including ongoing construction of the Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities (AAPF) at the company's Camden, Arkansas site, which is expected to increase large SRM manufacturing capacity sixfold. The campus will include more than 20 buildings across 110 acres, incorporating the latest advances in digital processes and automation to increase efficiency and enhance safety, including the use of precision manufacturing with robotic systems and automated quality inspections. AAPF will support Sentinel’s Stage 3 SRM, along with several other SRM programs. The campus is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
Beyond facility expansion, L3Harris is advancing the critical propulsion systems that support Sentinel’s demanding mission profile. The PBPS is the propulsion system during exo-atmospheric flight. This system has already undergone major milestones, including a hot-fire test in 2025 and expansion of workspace supporting PBPS. Just as key to mission success is the Stage 3 SRM. The advanced large SRM incorporates innovative materials and manufacturing processes for both a reliable and cost-effective motor. The Stage 3 motor has achieved several milestones on the march to flight testing, including a hot-fire test in early 2024. The team continues to leverage lessons learned from test events to improve the design of the motor, which underwent structural load tests earlier this year.
To deliver these systems, L3Harris leverages advanced technologies and has made investments in enhanced methods to ensure Sentinel is ready for the mission. By incorporating modernized manufacturing practices, such as statistical process controls and automated mixing, the team produces quality motors that help ensure Sentinel will be a safe, secure, reliable, and credible deterrent for decades to come.
In parallel with L3Harris' capacity expansions, the company is also growing its workforce across its sites in Camden, Arkansas, Huntsville, Alabama and Los Angeles, California. Talented teams, specialized facilities and ongoing investments enable L3Harris to meet the current and future national security needs.
As we look towards Sentinel’s flight test, L3Harris remains a steadfast partner to the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman teams supporting the land-based leg of America's strategic deterrent.
