The Air Force is planning to buy Chinese-made DJI drones for training purposes at a Wyoming air base that houses Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The LGM-35A Sentinel will replace the LGM-30G Minuteman III. The $141 billion program is expected to stretch into the second half of the 21st century.
The visit focused on ensuring alignment between program development and operational execution as the Air Force prepares to transition from the Minuteman III system to the LGM-35A Sentinel.
The Air Force said the long-range flight allows engineers and weapons systems analysts to collect data on the missile’s accuracy and reliability.
The missile, which the Pentagon plans to take the place of the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBMs, would anchor the land-based portion of the nuclear triad.