Nuclear Weapons Sustainment: Improvements Made to Budget Estimates in Fiscal Year 2019 Joint Report, but Opportunities Remain to Enhance Completeness
Abstract
DOD and DOE, through its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), are undertaking an extensive, multifaceted effort to sustain and modernize U.S. nuclear weapons capabilities. These capabilities include the nuclear weapons stockpile; the research and production infrastructure; delivery systems; and the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) system. DOD and DOE estimates show that nuclear sustainment and modernization efforts are expected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. Section 1043 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended, requires the President, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, to submit a report on the plan for the nuclear weapons stockpile, complex, delivery systems, and command and control system for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2023. DOD and DOE develop this annual report, which we refer to as the joint report. Section 1043 of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended, also includes a provision that we review each joint report for accuracy and completeness with respect to the budget estimates and the methodologies that were used to develop the estimates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 07, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1157547
Entities
People
- Allison Bawden
- Joseph W. Kirschbaum
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office