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Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed a series of wind tunnel tests of the US Air Force’s next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
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Using scaled models of the vehicle, stressed under environments from sub to hypersonic speeds, the robust test campaign validated digital modelling and simulations and proved design maturity of the missile.
Sarah Willoughby, vice president and program manager, Sentinel, Northrop Grumman, welcomed the milestone achievement, saying, “Predictions from the modelling correlated with the testing results, giving us confidence in our model-based engineering approach. Data from these tests will inform future engineering decisions as we mature the design and continue on a path to deliver this critical capability to the Air Force.”
Wind tunnel testing is a key early step in any missile development program because it determines how a vehicle will perform during flight — a team of engineers created seven comprehensive test campaigns, each with a unique set of requirements, to measure how the missile would respond to various atmospheric, load, and speed conditions.
Tests simulated everything from firing the missile, to stage separation and various flight manoeuvres — the team is now updating models to enable full-scale predictive environments for the development of Sentinel flight hardware.
“This wind tunnel campaign is an opportunity to put our digitally engineered designs to the test, under conditions that mimic a missile launch. Tests were conducted at industry and government-run facilities across the US in under a year,” Willoughby added.
The US Air Force’s Sentinel weapon system is a critical modernisation of the current land-based leg of the US nuclear triad, replacing the Minuteman III ICBM system that has been in service for more than 50 years.
Willoughby said, “This is an extremely complex effort proving the value of digital engineering in helping us move to the next phase with certainty.”
The program represents advancements in technology with the use of digital engineering, advanced tooling, and a modular, open-architecture approach.
Northrop Grumman is leading a nationwide team that includes companies from across the defence, engineering, and construction industries as part of the Sentinel engineering and manufacturing development contract.
Overall, the Sentinel program will involve over 10,000 people across the US directly working on this vital national security program.
