The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments
Abstract
Most current U.S. nuclear warheads were built in the 1970s and 1980s and are being retained longer than was planned. Yet they deteriorate and must be maintained. To correct problems, a Life Extension Program (LEP), part of a larger Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP), replaces components. Modifying some components would require a nuclear test, but the United States has observed a test moratorium since 1992, because Congress and the Administration prefer to avoid a return to testing, so LEP rebuilds these components as closely as possible to original specifications. With this approach, the Secretaries of Defense and Energy have certified stockpile safety and reliability for the past 11 years without nuclear testing. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which operates the U.S. nuclear weapons program, is developing the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW). It expects that RRW would, among other things, make nuclear testing less likely and increase long-term confidence in the U.S. nuclear force. For FY2005, Congress provided an unrequested $9.0 million to start RRW. The FY2006 RRW appropriation was $24.8 million, the FY2007 operating plan has $35.8 million, and the FY2008 request is $88.8 million for NNSA and $30.0 million for the Navy. The conference version of H.R. 1585, the FY2008 defense authorization bill, reduces NNSA and Navy RRW finds to $66.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively; bars RRW from moving from a design and cost study to development engineering in FY2008; and calls for studies on strategic policy and on using existing pits in RRWs. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, P.L. 110-116, includes $15.0 million for the Navy for RRW. The FY2008 consolidated appropriations bill provides no NNSA finds for RRW.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA475062
Entities
People
- Jonathan E. Medalia
Organizations
- Library of Congress