Revitalizing the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise

Abstract

The quantity and role of the United States? nuclear weapons arsenal has evolved, and national security strategy documents continue to maintain unambiguous language regarding this role. However, the current state of the nuclear weapons enterprise can be described as disconnected from the security environment for which it is designed to serve as a strategic deterrence. Actions by the nation that have contributed to the current state include the testing moratorium, the ban on weapons research and development, the reduced emphasis on nuclear training and education in the military, and the degradation of nuclear infrastructure. There is tremendous opportunity ahead for revitalizing the enterprise, but only if the nation makes the commitment to change. The commitment must include modernizing our nuclear force and recapitalizing our nuclear infrastructure, while eliminating excessive weapons and delivery systems, and increasing the nuclear weapons knowledge in the services.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA521983

Entities

People

  • Dirk E. Plante

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Fleet Ballistic Missiles
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Military Education
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Warheads
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Stockpiles
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • United States Strategic Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.