U.S. Has Deployed New, Small Nukes On An Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine

Workers at the Pantex Plant in Texas handle a W76 nuclear warhead as part of a program to extend its life. Image credit: Pantex Plant via YouTube.

Warzone/The Drive: Navy Missile Sub Has Begun Its First Patrol Armed With Controversial Low Yield Nukes

* Proponents argue that the warheads give the United States added deterrent flexibility, but critics warn they lower the threshold for using nukes.

The U.S. Navy has reportedly sent an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine on patrol for the first time carrying Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles armed with the new and controversial low-yield W76-2 nuclear warhead. This news comes nearly a year after the United States announced it had produced the first of these warheads. Proponents say the warheads are necessary to give the U.S. government added flexibility to respond to certain crises, including limited nuclear strikes, but critics contend that they raise the likelihood of the United States employing nuclear weapons, to begin with.

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WNU Editor: I have always been very leery about low-yield nuclear weapons. The temptation to use them will be there. As for this warhead, it packs a punch of around seven kilotons. This is why the Pentagon wants this warhead in its arsenal .... Why the Pentagon Says It Needs Low-Yield Nukes (Popular Mechanics).

 More News On The U.S. Has Deploying Small Nuclear Weapons On An Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine

US Deploys New Low-Yield Nuclear Submarine Warhead -- Federation Of Atomic Scientists
Deployment of new US nuclear warhead on submarine a dangerous step, critics say -- The Guardian
U.S. Has Deployed New, Small Nukes On Submarine, According To Group -- NPR
The low-yield nuclear warhead: A dangerous weapon based on bad strategic thinking -- Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists