The US Air Force's New Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program Is Facing Serious Cost Overruns

An artist's concept of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.  

Air & Space Forces Magazine: New ICBM Has ‘Critical’ Cost and Schedule Overruns, Needs SecDef Certification to Continue 

The new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program being developed by the Air Force and Northrop Grumman will cost 37 percent more than expected and take at least two years longer than previous projections before achieving initial operational capability—compelling the service to extend the life of some of its Minuteman ICBMs, senior service and Northrop officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine. 

Just before close of business Jan. 18, the Air Force sent Congress notification of a Nunn-McCurdy breach on the Sentinel program. The Nunn-McCurdy Act requires the Pentagon to inform lawmakers if a program incurs a cost or schedule overrun of more than 15 percent. Any breach over 15 percent is considered “significant,” while a breach of 30 percent is considered “critical.”  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US Minuteman III missile replacement breaks $96 billion budget, triggers Pentagon review (Reuters)  

Update #2: US Test Fires $100B ICBM; Top Official Says Its Struggles Have Made Him ‘More Nervous’ Than B-21 Raider (Eurasian Times)  

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. These costs overruns are just starting.

A New Nuclear Warhead Has Been Approved And Cleared For Use By The U.S. Air Force

USAF  

Newsweek: U.S. Gets Another Nuclear Bomb Added to Its Stockpile 

A new nuclear warhead has been approved and cleared for use in a variety of U.S. aircraft, notably the B-2A Spirit bomber. 

Spirit will be the first domestic combat aircraft to employ the B61-12 nuclear bomb, unveiled Monday as part of the 335-page unclassified Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP), a report for the 2024 fiscal year by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The latter works within the Department of Energy (DOE) and designs, produces, delivers and certifies the nation's nuclear stockpile for military operation. 

Read more ....

Update #1: B-2 Spirit Now Operational With New B61-12 Nuclear Bombs (Warzone) 

Update #2: B-2 Stealth Bomber Becomes 1st Fighter Aircraft With ‘Deadly’ B61-12 Nukes; Big Boost For US Air Force (EurAsian Times)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. is not stopping there. A new nuclear warhead has been authorized for development. It is to be known as the B61-13 .... U.S. to Develop Unanticipated New Nuclear Bomb (Arms Control Association).

Pentagon's New ICBM Program Facing Problems And Cost Overruns

US Air Force artist’s rendering of the Sentinel in flight. (Credit: US Air Force)  

Breaking Defense: Sentinel ICBM program ‘struggling’ with ‘unknown unknowns’: Kendall  

Kendall also expressed concern about the effects of a likely continuing resolution on key programs, including the Advanced Battle Management System and the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.  

WASHINGTON — Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said today he is “nervous” about unforeseen challenges in the $96 billion LGM-35A Sentinel program to develop a next-generation nuclear missile that will push up costs — with the service now assessing what changes may be required. 

“Sentinel, I think, is quite honestly struggling a little bit. There are unknown unknowns that are surfacing … in the program and that the department is gonna have to work its way through,” he told the Center for a New American Security.  

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Update #1: US Air Force's Sentinel missile 'struggling,' faces rising costs (Defense News)  

Update #2: New Sentinel ICBM 'Struggling' Due to Complexity, Kendall Says (Air & Space Forces Magazine)  

WNU Editor: There is no back-up plan .... Sentinel System: 'There is No Backup Plan' (National Defense).

U.S. Air Force's Next ICBM Faces A Year-Long Delay

US Air Force artist’s rendering of the Sentinel in flight. (Credit: US Air Force)  

Breaking Defense: Sentinel ICBM faces year delay, Air Force One and F-15EX also at risk: GAO  

A new watchdog report warns of a year-long delay for America's next ICBM, as well as potential schedule slips for F-15EX, KC-46A and the Air Force One replacement. 

WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s $96 billion Sentinel program that will field a new fleet of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles is staring down a delay of about a year, the Government Accountability Office warned in a new report today. 

GAO’s annual review of Pentagon weapon systems [PDF] also raised concerns about other key Air Force programs, such as the F-15EX, KC-46A and Air Force One replacement known as the VC-25B. 

Top officials have signaled in recent months that the Sentinel could fall behind, pointing to issues such as supply chain constraints and workforce disruption. A timeline graphic compiled by GAO now states the missile’s initial operational capability (IOC) date is estimated for between April and June 2030, a delay of approximately one year.  

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Update #1: US Air Force's $96 Billion Northrop ICBM Faces 1+ Year Delay (NOC) (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: New ICBM Delayed at Least a Year, GAO Says (Defense One)  

WNU Editor: A year delay will also mean cost over-runs.

US Air Force Fires 2 Commanders, 4 Leaders At North Dakota Nuclear Bomber And Missile Base

CNN: Exclusive: US Air Force fires leaders for failing nuclear safety inspection 

Two US Air Force commanders and four of their subordinates at a key nuclear base in North Dakota were relieved of duty this week after their units failed an inspection designed to ensure that the nuclear weapons stockpile is safe and secure at all times, two defense officials told CNN. 

The removals occurred at Minot Air Force Base, which is the only Air Force installation that houses two legs of the “nuclear triad” – ballistic missile silos and strategic bombers. 

The officials told CNN that the six service members were relieved of duty following the failed nuclear surety inspection at the base. The nuclear surety inspection is a pass/fail test and the results are classified. 

There is no indication that the failed inspection was related to the handling of a nuclear weapon itself. Another defense official said the failure was for “non-compliance vehicle and equipment safety inspections.”  

Read more .... 

 Update #1: Six leaders fired from Air Force nuclear base in North Dakota (Air Force Times)  

Update #2: Air Force relieves 2 commanders, 4 leaders at North Dakota nuclear bomber, missile base (FOX News).  

WNU Editor: The way these firings were handled makes me wonder if there is some psychological vetting happening within the US Air Force right now??

Why Was There A Burst Of US Nuclear Deterrence Emergency Action Messages Earlier This Week?

Soul:Ask: Silent red alert: US nuclear deterrence emergency action messages are constantly being added 

On November 7, 2022, radio amateurs around the world began receiving an almost continuous stream of EAM – emergency action messages. 

They are formalized messages, in accordance with the Unified Integrated Operational Plan, transmitted by the command of the US Armed Forces to units and subunits of troops equipped with nuclear weapons, in case a decision is made on its combat use.  

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WNU Editor: It looks like they are testing the equipment. On a side note. Was this the reason why UK prime minister Rishi Sunak ran in the manner that he did earlier this week? (see below):

UK prime minister @RishiSunak has just been rushed out of the room by his aides during the middle of the launch for forests partnership at #COP27 pic.twitter.com/OQy9TYkqpX

— Leo Hickman (@LeoHickman) November 7, 2022

Pentagon Defends Decision To Scrap The Development Of A New Sea-Launched Cruise Missile

 

Daily Mail: Pentagon DEFENDS plans to cut U.S. nuclear capabilities - despite Putin's threats: Defense secretary insists there's no need for a new sea-launched missile - and again insists there's no indication Russia will use a dirty bomb in Ukraine 

* The Pentagon published its National Defense Strategy on Thursday 

* It is a declassified form of a classified document already circulated to lawmakers 

* Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin briefed reporters on its contents 

* He was asked if cutting a sea-launched missile sent the right message to Putin 

* 'He understands what our capability is,' said Austin in response 

Eight months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and with China stepping up its nuclear, space and cyberforce capabilities, on Thursday the Pentagon defended its decision to scrap development of a new sea-launched cruise missile. 

The decision to cancel the submarine-launched cruise missile comes even though senior military figures wanted it to continue. 

And at the same time the Pentagon also confirmed it was retiring the B83-1 gravity bomb - 80 to 100 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in World War Two.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The review that decided the fate on developing this sea-launched cruise missile was blunt saying "it has zero value" .... Nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Has ‘Zero Value,’ Latest Nuclear Posture Review Finds (USNI News). 

Pentagon Defends Decision To Scrap The Development Of A New Sea-Launched Cruise Missile  

U.S. to scrap sea-launched nuclear missile despite military backing -- Reuters  

Pentagon defends cutting nuclear missile program in national defense strategy amid Russian tension -- FOX News  

Biden moves to scrap Trump-era sea-launched nuclear missile program -- The Hill  

White House Seeks to Cancel U.S. Navy's Nuclear Cruise Missile -- Maritime Executive  

Biden National Defense Strategy seeks to cancel Trump-era nuclear weapon program -- UPI 

Biden to scrap Trump missile project but critics attack US ‘nuclear overkill’ -- The Guardian

U.S. Accelerating Plans To Modernize Its Nuclear Forces In Europe

The 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron test loads a new nuclear-capable weapons delivery system for the B-2 Spirit bomber. Image: Airman 1st Class Devan Halstead/ US Air Force 

Politico: U.S. speeds up plans to store upgraded nukes in Europe 

The fielding of an improved gravity bomb has been moved up to December as Vladimir Putin threatens the region. 

The United States has accelerated the fielding of a more accurate version of its mainstay nuclear bomb to NATO bases in Europe, according to a U.S. diplomatic cable and two people familiar with the issue. 

The arrival of the upgraded B61-12 air-dropped gravity bomb, originally slated for next spring, is now planned for this December, U.S. officials told NATO allies during a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month, the cable reveals.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Pentagon wants these modernized nuclear weapons in Europe in the next few weeks.  

Update: Explained: Who has nuclear weapons in Europe and where are they? (Euronews)

U.S. Accelerating Plans To Modernize Its Nuclear Forces In Europe 

US accelerates plan to send upgraded nuclear weapons to Europe as Russia continues to threaten Ukraine: report -- FOX News 

US Hurries Upgraded Nuclear Bomb Fielding in Europe: Report -- Defense Post  

Pentagon Accelerating Plans Of Stockpiling B61-12 gravity Bombs In Europe, Says Report -- Republic World  

US to modernize nuclear arsenal in Europe – Politico -- RT

US Discloses Presence Of U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine In The Arabian Sea

Today the CENTCOM Commander embarked the USS West Virginia Ballistic Missile Submarine pic.twitter.com/fv98lYhD89

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 19, 2022

FOX News: CENTCOM commander visits Navy nuclear submarine in Arabian Sea amid tensions with Pakistan and Iran 

The Navy submarine visit in the Arabian Sea comes amid tensions with Pakistan 

The commander of the Defense Department's Central Command (CENTCOM) visited a nuclear submarine in international waters Wednesday in a possible move designed to send a message to adversaries in the region. 

Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla embarked aboard the USS West Virginia, a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, somewhere in the Arabian Sea, a news release said. 

During the visit, he received a demonstration of the vessel's capabilities, which operates globally under the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). 

Read more .... 

US Discloses Presence Of U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine In The Arabian Sea  

CENTCOM Commander embarks USS West Virginia Ballistic Missile Submarine -- Navy.mil  

US general on rare visit to nuclear-armed sub in Arabian Sea -- AP  

Highly Unusual Disclosure Made Of U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine’s Presence In Arabian Sea -- Warzone/The Drive  

Stealthiest U.S. submarine makes rare appearance in Arabian Sea -- Nikkei Asia

NATO And Russia To Hold Long Planned Exercises Of Nuclear Forces At The Same Time

 

CNN: NATO and Russia to hold long planned exercises of nuclear forces as tensions over Ukraine remain high 

NATO and Russia are set to separately hold long planned exercises of their nuclear forces at a time of huge tension as Russia continues its war on Ukraine. 

The Pentagon and the US intelligence community are watching for any unexpected or unusual movements of Moscow’s nuclear weapons during Russia’s exercise, which is expected to take place before the end of the month, according to several US officials. 

“We believe that that Russian nuclear rhetoric and its decision to proceed with this exercise while at war with Ukraine is irresponsible. 

Brandishing nuclear weapons to coerce the United States and its allies is irresponsible,” a senior defense official told CNN.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Both sides conducting nuclear exercises at the same time. What could possibly go wrong? 

NATO And Russia To Hold Long Planned Exercises Of Nuclear Forces At The Same Time 

NATO will begin military drills practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs on Monday -- Daily Mail 

NATO nuclear drills where B-52s fly over Europe likely to overlap with Russian nuclear exercises -- FOX News  

Russia and NATO Are Both Holding Nuclear Drills Despite Rising Tensions -- Bloomberg  

NATO to Kick off Nuclear Drills Involving B-52 Bombers on Monday -- Reuters  

Upcoming Russian nuclear exercises a challenge for the West -- CNBC

US Air Force Stresses That Recent ICBM Test Was “Not The Result Of Current World Events”

 

Ars Technica: After ICBM test, US stresses it was “not the result of current world events” 

Test comes after delays due to Russia, China tensions. Early on Tuesday morning, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to test the capabilities of the US nuclear armed forces. 

The missile carried a test reentry vehicle, which traveled about 6,700 km to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where there is sophisticated tracking equipment to verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system. 

During an armed conflict, such a missile, which has a range of nearly 10,000 km, could be equipped with a nuclear warhead.  

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WNU Editor: The US Air Force's statement on this test is here .... Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent (Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs).

U.S. ICBM Test Rocket Explodes Seconds After Launch At Vandenberg Space Force Base In California

The test launch was in support of a re-entry vehicle for a U.S. ICBM program under development, called the LGM-35A Sentinel, which is illustrated here. (Image credit: Air Force)  

Warzone/The Drive: Reentry Vehicle Test For America’s New ICBM Failed Just After Launch 

The launch was intended to test the Mk21A reentry vehicle that will carry the Mk87-1 nuclear warhead on the Minuteman III ICBM’s replacement.  

Late last night an unarmed test of the Air Force’s new Mk 21A intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) reentry vehicle quickly ended with an explosion 11 seconds after launch at Vandenberg Space Force base in California. 

Nobody was injured, but the failure is a setback for the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM program that is intended to replace the aging LGM-30 Minuteman III.  

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WNU Editor: This has not been a good week for the Pentagon. This follows a hypersonic missile test failure just a few days ago .... Latest US hypersonic test fails after 'anomaly' during first full flight test (CNN). 

 ICBM Test Rocket Explodes Seconds After Launch At Vandenberg Space Force Base In California  

Rocket explodes moments after launch from California base -- AP 

Rocket carrying new nuclear missile component explodes in late-night test -- Military Times  

Minotaur rocket explodes shortly after launching on test mission for US military -- Space.com 

ICBM test rocket explodes seconds after launch -- The Hill  

Rocket explodes moments after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base -- CBS  

American rocket explodes seconds after launch -- RT

Pentagon Cancels Test Of Its Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile To Lower Nuclear Tensions With Russia

Daily Mail: BREAKING: US Military cancels test of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile to lower nuclear tensions with Russia 

* The U.S. has canceled its test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile after having delayed the test earlier this month 

* An Air Force spokesperson said the decision to cancel the test comes in a bid to lower nuclear tensions with Russia during the war in Ukraine 

* Russian President Vladimir Putin said in February that his nation's nuclear forces should be put on high alert, raising fears of a potential nuclear war 

* When the U.S. first delayed the missile test officials said it was important to 'bear in mind the risk of miscalculation and take steps to reduce those risks' 

* The next Minuteman III test is scheduled to take place later this year 

The U.S. Military has canceled a previously scheduled test of its intercontinental ballistic missile in a bid to lower nuclear tensions with Russia during the war in Ukraine. 

The Air Force confirmed the cancellation of its Minuteman III test after Moscow announced earlier on Friday that it would militarily strengthen its Western borders with Europe. 

The U.S. had previously delayed the ICBM test on March 2 when Russia said it was putting its nuclear forces on high alert.  

Read more .... 

Pentagon Cancels Test Of Its Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile To Lower Nuclear Tensions With Russia  

Exclusive-U.S. cancels ICBM test due to Russia nuclear tensions -- Reuters  

US scraps missile test to avoid Russian ‘misinterpretation’: report -- The Hill  

U.S. to Ease Nuclear Tensions With Russia, Cancel 'Minuteman' Missile Tests -- Newsweek  

US cancels its ballistic missile test in bid to lower nuclear tensions with Russia -- The Print

U.S. President Biden Refuses To Rule Out First-Strike Use Of US Nuclear Weapons Under 'Extreme Circumstances'

The new Nuclear Posture Review says that the US would only use nuclear weapons in 'extreme circumstances', which is similar to language from prior reviews. Pictured: A LGM-30 Minuteman III is launched as part of a test  

Daily Mail: Biden refuses to rule out first-strike use of US nuclear weapons under 'extreme circumstances' in dramatic reversal of his campaign vow after Putin's invasion of Ukraine 

* Biden will not change the current US nuclear doctrine under pressure from allies 

* Longstanding US policy allows for first-strike use of nukes in extreme situations 

* Biden had vowed to change that policy but is now backing down from the plan 

* Ongoing Nuclear Posture Review will not adopt the new 'sole purpose' doctrine 

* Nukes can still be used to deter conventional, chemical, or biological attack 

President Joe Biden is abandoning a campaign vow to alter longstanding US nuclear doctrine, and will instead embrace existing policy that reserves America's right to use nukes in a first-strike scenario, according to multiple reports. 

As Russian forces continue their bloody assault on Ukraine, Biden is under pressure from NATO allies not to abandon the right to use nuclear weapons to deter conventional attacks. 

Since the Cold War, American policy has allowed for first-strike use of nuclear weapons under 'extreme circumstances,' such as responding to an invasion by conventional forces, or chemical or biological attacks.  

Read more .... 

U.S. President Biden Refuses To Rule Out First-Strike Use Of US Nuclear Weapons Under 'Extreme Circumstances'  

Joe Biden ready to use nuclear weapons first in ‘extreme circumstances’ -- Politpost/The Telegraph  

Biden sticks with US policy on nuclear weapons amid pressure from allies -- Al Mayadeen Net, Wall street Journal  

Biden steers away from big change to US nuclear weapons policy -- New York Ledger/Financial Times 

'Dangerous': Experts Slam Biden for Keeping First-Use Nuclear Strike on the Table -- Common Dreams  

Why Biden Won’t Rule Out Using Nukes First -- Fred Kaplan, Slate

USS Wyoming Successfully Tests Trident II D5LE Missiles

The US Navy successfully conducted a scheduled two-missile test launch of un-armed life-extended Trident D5LE nuclear missiles on Friday off the coast of Cape Canaveral  

Daily Mail: Biden's warning to China: USS Wyoming test launches Trident II nuclear missiles off Cape Canaveral after Beijing warned of nuclear war risk over AUKUS submarine pact 

* The US Navy successfully conducted a scheduled two-missile test launch of un-armed life-extended Trident D5LE nuclear missiles on Friday 

* The USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, tested two Trident II missiles before sending them to join the fleet 

* The US has a fleet of 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines which have completed 184 successful missile test flights 

* The ballistic missile submarines primarily serve as deterrence 

* The Navy stated the tests are scheduled years in advance and 'not conducted in response to any ongoing world events, nor as a demonstration of power' 

* On Thursday, Australia announced they will build nuclear-powered submarines in a historic new alliance with US and UK 

* The move will hugely expand Australian military capability in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China 

The US Navy successfully conducted a scheduled two-missile test launch of un-armed life-extended Trident D5LE nuclear missiles from the USS Wyoming on Friday. 

The USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, was floating off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida when it completed the test, which was part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, designated DASO-31. 

A DASO is conducted to asses the fitness of the ballistic missile submarine and its crew before being sent out for operational deployment after the ship's refueling overhaul.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: USS Wyoming Successfully Tests Trident II D5LE Missiles (America's Navy)  

Update #2: US Conducts Successful Test of Trident II Missile, Navy Says (Sputnik)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. is sending a message (see below):

#USSWyoming successfully tests Trident II D5LE missiles over the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 17th. These tests underscore our readiness and capability for 21st Century Strategic Deterrence. #ForceToBeReckonedWith

DETAILS: https://t.co/TyBMNJVqG2#DASO31 #SSBN742 @COMSUBLANT pic.twitter.com/X10VBbB16T

— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) September 18, 2021

With The Modernization Of China's And Russia's Nuclear Forces, America’s Aging Nuclear Weapons Come Under Scrutiny

The W76-2 will be launched aboard Trident II D5 missiles. (Ronald Gutridge/U.S. Navy) 

Washington Examiner: America’s aging nuclear weapons come under scrutiny as Russia and China build up their arsenals 

CHINA’S MASSIVE MISSILE FIELDS: Using commercial satellite imagery, the Federation of American Scientists has documented an ambitious program by China to dramatically expand its ability to launch hundreds of nuclear weapons, identifying two fields of missile silos under construction which would accommodate roughly 230 ICBMs. 

The group calls the silo construction “the most significant expansion of the Chinese nuclear arsenal ever.” 

For decades, China has maintained about 20 silos for liquid-fuel DF-5 ICBMs under its so-called “minimum credible deterrent” strategy and was believed to have an arsenal of around 300 nuclear warheads. 

By adding 120 silos to a site at Yumen, another 110 silos at Hami, and counting expansion of an existing site, China appears headed toward a total of 250 new silos under construction — more than ten times the number of ICBM silos in operation today.  

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WNU Editor: For Washington the big issue is the cost .... Estimated Cost of US Nuclear Modernization Jumps During More Expensive Phase (Defense One).

Is Spending Almost $2 Trillion Over 30 Years To Modernize America's Nuclear Weapons Worth It?

A B-52H drops an unarmed AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile during a Nuclear Weapons System Evaluation Program sortie, September 22, 2014. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Roidan Carlson  

Business Insider: Spending $2 trillion on new nuclear weapons is a risk to more than just your wallet 

* The US is pursuing the modernization of all three legs of the nuclear triad, at an estimated cost of $1.7 trillion over 30 years. 

* Simultaneous modernization exceeds what's needed for an effective nuclear deterrent and is an unnecessarily costly and risky way to achieve our deterrence requirements. 

* Bill Perry is a former US secretary of defense. Jerry Brown is a former governor. John Garamendi is the US Representative for California's 3rd Congressional District. 

The world is witnessing a new, dangerous nuclear arms race. Tensions are rising between the Great Powers. As the US, Russia, and China rush to modernize their nuclear arsenals, the trip wire is becoming more taut by the day. 

Observation and communication satellites and systems are increasingly vulnerable to attacks. All three countries are fielding stealth and hypersonic nuclear delivery systems designed to evade detection. The risks of a false alarm or a political miscalculation has always haunted the nuclear landscape, and they do even more today.  

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WNU Editor: Developing and maintaining a nuclear force has always been an expensive endeavor. But these numbers are just jaw-dropping.

Despite Promising In The Campaign That He Would Cut U.S. Nuclear Forces, President Biden Goes ‘Full Steam Ahead’ On Trump’s Nuclear Expansion

A Milestone B decision on the replacement for America's nuclear cruise missile is one of the many issues facing President-elect Joe Biden's nuclear and missile defense experts. (Tech. Sgt. Aaron D. Allmon II/U.S. Air Force)  

Politico: Biden goes ‘full steam ahead’ on Trump’s nuclear expansion despite campaign rhetoric 

The decision to retain a low-yield warhead that was outfitted on submarine-launched ballistic missiles in 2019, and to initiate research into a new sea-launched cruise missile, has sparked an outcry. 

President Joe Biden ran on a platform opposing new nuclear weapons, but his first defense budget backs two controversial new projects put in motion by former President Donald Trump and also doubles down on the wholesale upgrade of all three legs of the arsenal. 

The decision to retain a low-yield warhead that was outfitted on submarine-launched ballistic missiles in 2019, and to initiate research into a new sea-launched cruise missile, has sparked an outcry from arms control advocates and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which is vowing a fight to reverse the momentum.  

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WNU Editor: It is not only nuclear weapons that President Biden is going "full stream ahead" .... When It Comes To Weapons, The Biden Administration’s Budget Is Just Like Trump’s (Forbes).

The Cost To Modernize U.S. Nuclear Forces Have Risen Dramatically

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test Oct. 29, 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. U.S. Air Force / Tech. Sgt. Patrick Harrower

"Nuclear forces account for roughly 7 percent of the total 10-year cost of the plans for national defense outlined in [2021]..[T]hat percentage is projected to rise from ~6 percent in 2021 to ~8.5 percent in 2030." Or "about one percentage point higher" than CBO projected in 2019

— Kingston Reif (@KingstonAReif) May 24, 2021

"If the full costs of B-52 and B-21 bombers were included, the total costs of nuclear forces, with cost growth, would be $711 billion."

— Kingston Reif (@KingstonAReif) May 24, 2021

Here's a comparison of the estimate of the cost of nuclear forces in 2021 from CBO's 2017, 2019, and 2021 biennial updates. Notice a trend?

2017: $34.1 billion (2021 proj.)
2019: $38.7 billion (2021 proj.)
2021: $42.1 billion

— Kingston Reif (@KingstonAReif) May 24, 2021

Defense One: Estimated Cost of US Nuclear Modernization Jumps During More Expensive Phase  

The Congressional Budget Office’s latest estimate puts the next decade’s price tag at $634 billion as some lawmakers try to bring it back down. 

The next decade of work to replace America’s nuclear bombers, missile submarines, and ICBMs will cost roughly $35 billion more than expected, about a 7 percent jump, the Congressional Budget Office said in a new report. 

The report updates the 10-year projected cost of the Pentagon’s nuclear modernization plan. In 2019, the CBO estimated that the work would cost $494 billion through 2028. The new report, which covers the years 2021 to 2030, puts the cost at $634 billion. About half of the $140 billion difference reflects the planned shift from research and development to the more expensive production phase. Another quarter of the difference reflects anticipated higher inflation.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Nonpartisan budget report says future nuke costs are rising (AP) 

Update #2: CBO: US nuclear arsenal to cost $634B over 10 years (The Hill) 

WNU Editor: The critics are piling on .... 500,000,000,000 reasons to scrutinize the US plan for nuclear weapons (Kingston Reif and Mandy Smithberger, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists). 

The CBO report is here .... Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2021 to 2030 (CBO).

Trucks Are Parked Over Air Force Nuclear Missile Silos During A Simulated Electronic Launch Of Minuteman Missiles At Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

 

Warzone/The Drive: Trucks Get Parked Over Air Force Nuclear Missile Silos During Tests… Just In Case 

It may seem bizarre and even redundant, but the semi-truck barrier serves as the very last safety precaution against an accidental launch. 

The U.S. Air Force’s latest Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system test at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, included a semi-truck parked over the silo, an added precaution to absolutely rule out an accidental launch. This seemingly crude measure is a routine part of these ICBM tests, codenamed Giant Pace, which evaluates the reliability of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. 

One of the most recent such tests, which are referred to as SELMs, standing for Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman III, was Giant Pace 21-1. This took place at Minot’s Golf 8 launch facility on April 7. These take place every two years and run through the whole process for readying an LGM-30G Minuteman III missile to fire, except for the actual launch. After the launch command is issued, the key in the launch control center is turned, and the door to the missile silo slides open. At that point, the exercise ends.  

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WNU Editor: If parking semis over missile silos keeps us safe during a test, so be it.