Homeland Defense. Greater Focus on Analysis of Alternatives and Threats Needed to Improve DOD's Strategic Nuclear Weapons Security

Abstract

A successful terrorist attack on a facility containing nuclear weapons could have devastating consequences. GAO was asked to compare the Department of Defense's (DOD) and Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to protect the nation's nuclear weapons where they are stored, maintained, or transported. This report (1) compares the nuclear weapons security policies and procedures at DOD and DOE, and the extent to which cost-benefit analyses are required; (2) compares DOD and DOE efforts to assess threats to nuclear weapons; and (3) identifies total current and projected funding requirements for securing nuclear weapons, including military construction costs. GAO analyzed DOD and DOE nuclear weapons security policies and procedures; visited sites that store, maintain, or transport nuclear weapons; and analyzed funding data for fiscal years 2006 through 2013. This report is an unclassified version of a classified report issued in May 2009.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA507056

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Antiterrorism
  • Ballistic Missile Submarines
  • Congress
  • Fleet Ballistic Missiles
  • Homeland Defense
  • Homeland Security
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Nuclear Weapons Security
  • Security
  • Security Personnel
  • Strategic Weapons
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Strategic Security Studies