
(IntegrityPress.org) – The U.S. military’s costs for replacing aged nuclear weapons is ballooning, as is typical with any government program: the initial proposed budget has a tendency to balloon after the program is funded and initiated. In this case, the Air Force is seeking to update and replace Minuteman III nuclear missiles with the help of defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp.
Initial budget proposals from 2020 tagged the price of the program at around $96 billion, but three individuals anonymously reporting the details to members of the press are suggesting the actual costs have jumped an additional $65 billion, nearly double the initial estimates. The individuals cited include an industry representative, a U.S. official, and a congressional aide who was present for a briefing about the program.
Another industry executive suggested to members of the corporate press that the program’s increased cost will either force the officials in charge to scale back the scope of the project or extend the proposed timeline for completion. Total costs being reported by the corporate press are now in the $141 billion range with the Air Force determined to continue to fund the program.
Pentagon chief weapon’s specialist Bill LaPlante said there were no other alternatives on the table but to continue the program, despite the increases. He indicated in comments to the corporate press that there wasn’t any cheaper alternative that would allow for the same capabilities. He anticipated that the program would be delayed by “several years” as a result of the needed extensions.
Northup Grumman hasn’t issued any public comments on the issue. Previous estimates were similarly increased; in January, the Air Force disclosed that the program would run “at least” $131 billion which triggered 1982-passed legislation called the Nunn-McCurdy Act which requires Pentagon representatives to explain to Congress the necessity of programs which have ballooned 25% or more over their initial estimates. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will testify before Congress shortly to fulfill that obligation.
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