American Air Force boots key missile program director
Date
6/30/2024 7:45:22 AM
(MENAFN) The United States Air Force has taken decisive action by removing Colonel Charles Clegg from his position overseeing the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, designed to replace the aging Minuteman III. This move comes amidst significant scrutiny and ballooning costs, with the program's expenses soaring by at least 37 percent to an estimated USD131 billion. Congress, shocked by these cost escalations, conducted a thorough review and allocated USD3.4 billion for the program in fiscal year 2025, USD340 million less than requested.
According to statements from the United States Air Force, Colonel Clegg's dismissal was attributed to procedural lapses rather than direct implications from the congressional review. Despite the Air Force spokesperson emphasizing a "loss of confidence," they clarified that the decision was not solely tied to the ongoing financial review.
The scrutiny intensified following revelations that a 1982 law mandated oversight after the program exceeded its budget projections by over a third within two years. The Pentagon and Joint Chiefs of Staff are now tasked with justifying these cost overruns to lawmakers, particularly focusing on the substantial funding required for upgrading launch sites and communication infrastructure over the next decade. This complex endeavor involves a range of activities from real estate transactions to construction and nuclear certification processes, as outlined in the Senate Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2024 budget report.
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