W-93 / Mk 7
Abstract
The 3097 RDTEN project has been designated as the W93/Mk7 warhead, a third variant for the TRIDENT. This project was formerly known as the Interoperative Warhead (IW); the name change to W93/Mk7 is reflected herein. This project will design, develop, and test a future warhead to include a new Navy Aeroshell for a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM). W93/Mk7 will mitigate risk from aging or technical failure by balancing the sea-leg warhead strategic force. The U.S. has not delivered an integrated ballistic reentry system since the 1980s. Critical early investments are required for development of critical skills and recapitalization of the atrophied industrial base. The program will align to the President's priority of strengthening our Nation's manufacturing and defense industrial base while improving supply chain resiliency and reducing reliance on foreign countries by making critical investments in the aeroshell industrial base. In order to maintain a credible sea-based deterrent capable of the flexibility and adaptability necessary to meet future adversarial threats, the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DOE) / National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have initiated a joint DoD-DOE/NNSA Nuclear Weapons Life-Cycle Process. Progress and activity (Phase 1 - 2/2A): - Early efforts primarily consist of developing programmatic planning and structure to support the future program along with further exploration and refinement of the concept studies that resulted from the Feasibility Management Team Study, which was directed in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). Following the results of the Feasibility Management Team Study, refinement of the concept study will be accomplished through system trade studies and drafting initial high level requirements documents in order to support the program entering a Phase 2 (Feasibility Study and Design Options) / 2A (Design Definition and Cost Study). - As part of the Phase 1 analysis, U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs and the NNSA have identified ways to reduce overall burden on the Nation's weapons complex and nuclear enterprise facilities through innovative design and logistics planning. These changes to legacy planning factors will result in significant cost reduction to the program's sustainment and lifecycle costs. - Development and submission of Executive Report to Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC) outlines analysis and findings from Phase 1 which will serve as the baseline for further analysis of refined and matured concept designs in Phase 2. - Identify necessary investments and align OSD stakeholders on planned investments within the nuclear enterprise. - Develop draft military characteristics, stockpile to target sequence and identified interdependencies between requirement drivers of DoD and DOE. - Develop initial nuclear enterprise assurance and supply chain protection considerations. - Draft threat and vulnerability assessments as well as safety, security, and use control architectures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 3097_0101221N_7_1319_PB_2023
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