U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on Thursday pressed for faster nuclear modernization efforts during a meeting with Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, ahead of Duffey’s upcoming review of Minot Air Force Base in Ward County, N.D.
Sen. Hoeven emphasized to Duffey — who oversees acquisitions, logistics, and material readiness across the U.S. Department of Defense — the importance of accelerating development of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, upgrading the B-52 bomber and the Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile, and continuing procurement of the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter fleet.
“Minot Air Force Base is the only dual nuclear base in our nation, with an incredibly important mission given the security challenges we face around the globe,” Sen. Hoeven said. “We outlined the importance of accelerating our nuclear modernization efforts, including fielding new helicopters to guard the missile fields, upgrading our B-52s, and accelerating both the LRSO and Sentinel programs to ensure we’re able to deter our enemies now and well into the future.”
As part of his ongoing efforts, Sen. Hoeven said he secured fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding for nuclear modernization programs, including $2.6 billion for development of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. The funding comes in addition to $2.5 billion the senator said he secured for Sentinel through enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
During the meeting, he also highlighted more than $1 billion for B-52 upgrades, nearly $800 million for development and procurement of the LRSO missile, and $67 million for procurement of the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter.
Sen. Hoeven also said the base’s new helicopter facility is scheduled for completion this year. He secured nearly $140 million for the project, as well as additional flexibility to address inflation-related cost increases and keep construction on schedule ahead of the aircraft arrivals.
Now, Sen. Hoeven is backing a $232 million proposal included in the president’s FY 2027 budget request to begin Sentinel-related upgrades at Minot Air Force Base that includes $108 million for a new Sentinel Security Forces Operations Complex and $124 million to fund a new Sentinel Consolidated Vehicle Maintenance Complex.