Sentinel Missile Upgrade Brings Historic Investment to Cheyenne and Wyoming

The $140.9 billion Sentinel missile upgrade at F.E. Warren Air Force Base is moving full steam ahead under President Trump’s second term, even as other federal programs face deep spending cuts.

This massive project replaces the aging Minuteman III system with the cutting-edge Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles, marking a generational shift in the strength and readiness of America’s nuclear triad. Construction has already begun on critical infrastructure, including a new wing command center, missile-handling complex, and upgraded fiber-optic communications.

Originally estimated at $78 billion, the program’s cost has nearly doubled due to inflation, expanded infrastructure, and land acquisitions. Despite the increase, the Department of Defense considers Sentinel essential to national security, and to global deterrence.

WY It Matters

The economic impact on Cheyenne is already significant, with more than $2.6 billion flowing into the region and up to 5,000 workers expected onsite during peak construction. But the effects go far beyond Laramie County.

“This isn’t just big for Cheyenne, it’s big for the entire state,” said Wyoming Chamber CEO Dale Steenbergen. “The military has always been a major driver for Cheyenne’s economy, but Sentinel ensures that Wyoming’s economic foundation remains strong and continues to grow.”

The Sentinel missile program isn’t just about national defense, it’s about long-term local prosperity. As the ground shifts beneath F.E. Warren, so too does the trajectory of Wyoming’s future.