ACHIEVING NUCLEAR BALANCE

Abstract

One of the most important questions affecting U.S. national security is the future size of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. While there is clear consensus within the U.S. government on the need to reduce the size of the arsenal, there is none on the best path to achieve these cuts; on the type of deterrent necessary to deal with future threats; or on the size of the production complex needed to support that arsenal. Creating a strategic commission to review these questions, as contemplated in the Fiscal 2008 House Defense Authorization bill, is a necessary first step to establish a sensible nuclear policy. The Reliable Replacement Warhead, which has the potential to transform the complex while preserving the current moratorium on nuclear testing, is a program worth exploring further if it stays within congressionally mandated bounds. As Congress considers both programmatic and policy matters related to U.S. nuclear weapons, it is vital that we also renew and strengthen U.S. leadership on nuclear nonproliferation.

Keywords:

• United States
• U.S. Congress
• Nuclear weapons
• Reliable Replacement Warhead

Notes

1. National Commission on the Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission), Chair Thomas H. Kean, The 9/11 Commission Report: The Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), p. 380, <www.9-11commission.gov/report/index.htm>.

2. “Recommendations for the Nuclear Weapons Complex of the Future: Report of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board on Nuclear Weapons Complex Infrastructure Task Force,” July 13, 2005, pp. E1–E2, <www.seab.energy.gov/publications/NWCITFRept-7-11-05.pdf>.

3. The oldest U.S. warhead, the W62 (deployed on Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles), has been operational for 37 years. The average age of all warheads in the enduring U.S. stockpile is 22 years.

4. U.S. Congress, ‘‘Making Appropriations for Energy and Water Development for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2006, and for Other Purposes [Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2419],’’ Report 109–275 109th Cong., 1st sess., p. 159.

5. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109-163, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., January 6, 2006, p. 119 Stat. 3539, <www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/PL109-163.pdf>.

6. U.S. House of Representatives, ‘‘National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008—Report of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, on H.R. 1585 together with Additional Views,’’ H. Report 110-146, 110th Cong., 1st sess., May 11, 2007, p. 528, <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/ getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_reports&docid=f:hr146.110.pdf>.