Comment:  The unclassified GAO report:  https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-108466.pdf

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https://www.airandspaceforces.com/report-air-force-minuteman-iii-2050/

Sept. 11, 2025 | By Greg Hadley

Quote:

The Air Force believes it could continue to operate its Minuteman III missiles until 2050 if needed, according to a newly released report from the Government Accountability Office—but doing so poses serious challenges to sustain their aging technology.  

Congressional watchdog GAO completed a classified report on the transition from Minuteman to Sentinel in April, and only put out a public version Sept. 10. 

Noting that the Air Force previously concluded “Minuteman III would reach the end of its service life in 2036,” the GAO report said the Air Force had since revised its calculus. “Now, facing delays to Sentinel, the Air Force is evaluating options to continue operating Minuteman III through 2050. The Minuteman III Program Office concluded that operation of Minuteman III until 2050 is feasible.” 

"An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time May 21, 2025, at
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez Escamilla"