Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Budget Request and Plan, FY2005-FY2009
Abstract
Nuclear earth penetrator weapons burrow into the ground some tens of feet before detonating, greatly increasing their ability to destroy hardened underground targets. The United States currently has one type of nuclear earth penetrator, the B61-11 bomb, but that weapon cannot penetrate certain types of terrain in which hardened underground facilities may be located. Accordingly, the Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are studying a more effective penetrator, the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP). RNEP is controversial. Congress debated it at length in 2003, and in that year the Secretary of Defense stated that RNEP would be a study. NNSA's FY2005 budget document shows RNEP funding increasing sharply after FY2005, for a 5-year total of $484.7 million, should the weapon proceed beyond the study phase. NNSA states that no decision has been made to proceed with RNEP and that out-year figures are shown to meet congressionally mandated budgeting requirements and are not a request. There are additional cost elements beyond the $484.7 million, but a total cost estimate must await completion of a cost study, to be completed in late FY2006. NNSA projects that this feasibility and cost study of RNEP will cost $71 million between FY2003 and FY2006. RNEP requests are subject to congressional approval, rejection, or modification. RNEP, if it proceeds, will be considerably more costly than the B61-11 because it must penetrate into much harder terrain than the B61-11 can withstand. Members of Congress have raised questions about RNEP in 2004 on several counts: programmatic issues, such as the legality of certain tests planned for the RNEP study; whether the large increase in the RNEP in the out years was consistent with legislation requiring congressional approval for RNEP to move beyond the study phase; and whether there is a military requirement for the weapon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA520410
Entities
People
- Jonathan E. Medalia
Organizations
- Library of Congress