Technical Steps to Support Nuclear Arsenal Downsizing: A Report by the APS Panel on Public Affairs

Abstract

There is a long history of US Presidents working to reduce the role and the spread of nuclear weapons. Most recently, President Obama voiced America's commitment "to seek a world without nuclear weapons," while clarifying that "as long as these weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal." Science and technology (S&T) will play a critical role in advancing the US plan to balance deterrence with downsizing the US nuclear arsenal. In particular, S&T are essential to enable three key goals associated with this plan: (1) verifying the process of downsizing and dismantling stockpiles; (2) sustaining the capability and expertise to ensure that the remaining arsenal is safe, secure, reliable and effective for as long as is necessary; and, (3) ensuring the peaceful use of fissile materials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA516648

Entities

Organizations

  • American Physical Society

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Fissile Materials
  • Governments
  • Law
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Fuels
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Training
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security