The Nuclear Arsenal | Defense News

Nuclear Arsenal

Another ICBM test successful, Air Force says

The ICBM contained conventional explosives and successfully detonated above the water's surface near Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

US military warns China is building more nuclear missile silos

The underground missile silo field in the Xinjiang region is the second one reported this summer.

Raytheon wins $2B contract for new nuclear cruise missile

Raytheon Technologies will move the Long Range Standoff Missile into the next phase of development.

Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton, Air Force Global Strike Command deputy commander, poses for a photo during AFGSC’s 2020 Outstanding Airmen of the Year ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, April 22, 2021. (Senior Airman Max Miller/Air Force)

Cotton nominated to run Air Force’s nuclear enterprise at pivotal time

If confirmed, Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton would be the first Black man to run Air Force Global Strike Command.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden in front of the Russian and American flags.

Biden, Putin set consultations on updating nuclear pact

Putin said he and Biden agreed to begin negotiations on nuclear talks to potentially replace the New START treaty limiting nuclear weapons after it expires in 2026.

US bombers could go back on alert if ICBMs are curtailed, top general says

U.S. Strategic Command head Adm. Charles Richards argued in favor of keeping new ICBMs on track during a Tuesday congressional hearing.

By Valerie Insinna

Democrats reintroduce ban on US using nuclear weapons first

Two key Democratic lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would make it U.S. policy not to use nuclear weapons first.

By Joe Gould

Biden nominates longtime expert as nuclear warhead chief

Jill Hruby worked in the Department of Energy for more than three decades.

By Aaron Mehta

An unarmed Trident II missile launches from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) off the coast of San Diego on Feb. 12, 2020

UK official: American warhead decision won’t impact British nuclear plans

“The number of warheads we need for the future is not determined by anything which the U.S. is doing on W93," said Britain's Angus Lapsley.

By Aaron Mehta

A new bill would defund new ICBMs to pay for coronavirus vaccine research

The bill would push the Air Force to extend the life of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.

By Valerie Insinna

Biden’s first budget should reduce nuclear excess

Current U.S. nuclear weapons policies exceed what is necessary for a credible nuclear deterrent and their financial costs are taking a growing toll.

By Kingston Reif

‘Too early to say’ when B-52 engine contract will be awarded

Companies are still moving through the process of furnishing the government with additional information about their proposals.

By Valerie Insinna

Air Force launches unarmed Minuteman 3 missile from Vandenberg AFB

“Our nation’s ICBM fleet stands ready 24/7."

By Diana Stancy Correll

Pentagon Deputy Hicks should say ‘yes’ to nuclear modernization, ‘no’ to a ‘no first use’ policy

The new deputy defense secretary should lean in on her support for nuclear modernization and work toward ensuring there isn’t implementation of a "No First Use" doctrine.

By Matthew Kroenig, Mark Massa and Raphael Piliero

Why are hypersonic weapons so important for America’s security?

Hypersonics are necessary, considering the scale and sophistication of adversary air defenses.

By Seth Cropsey

Nuclear weapon cuts damage arms control

America's unilateral restraint does not appear to induce reciprocal restraint on the part of Russia or China.

By Matthew Costlow

Examining international security at the nuclear nexus

Nuclear policy has largely developed independently of other defense policy communities. This has to change.

By Rebecca K.C. Hersman and Maxwell Simon

Majority of voters support ICBM replacement alternatives, new poll finds

The new research, exclusively shared with Defense News, found the majorities of both Republicans and Democrats polled would be in favor of alternative solutions to the Pentagon’s planned program to replace intercontinental ballistic missiles with the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.

By Aaron Mehta

In support of US hypersonic system development

Both China and Russia have already fielded hypersonic weapons with initial capabilities. It is therefore essential that the U.S. responds through development of effective defensive measures.

By Iain Boyd

Nuclear Arsenal

The ICBM contained conventional explosives and successfully detonated above the water's surface near Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

The underground missile silo field in the Xinjiang region is the second one reported this summer.

Raytheon Technologies will move the Long Range Standoff Missile into the next phase of development.

If confirmed, Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton would be the first Black man to run Air Force Global Strike Command.

Putin said he and Biden agreed to begin negotiations on nuclear talks to potentially replace the New START treaty limiting nuclear weapons after it expires in 2026.

More Stories

U.S. Strategic Command head Adm. Charles Richards argued in favor of keeping new ICBMs on track during a Tuesday congressional hearing.

Two key Democratic lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would make it U.S. policy not to use nuclear weapons first.

Jill Hruby worked in the Department of Energy for more than three decades.

“The number of warheads we need for the future is not determined by anything which the U.S. is doing on W93," said Britain's Angus Lapsley.

The bill would push the Air Force to extend the life of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Current U.S. nuclear weapons policies exceed what is necessary for a credible nuclear deterrent and their financial costs are taking a growing toll.

Companies are still moving through the process of furnishing the government with additional information about their proposals.

“Our nation’s ICBM fleet stands ready 24/7."

The new deputy defense secretary should lean in on her support for nuclear modernization and work toward ensuring there isn’t implementation of a "No First Use" doctrine.

Hypersonics are necessary, considering the scale and sophistication of adversary air defenses.

America's unilateral restraint does not appear to induce reciprocal restraint on the part of Russia or China.

Nuclear policy has largely developed independently of other defense policy communities. This has to change.

The new research, exclusively shared with Defense News, found the majorities of both Republicans and Democrats polled would be in favor of alternative solutions to the Pentagon’s planned program to replace intercontinental ballistic missiles with the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.

Both China and Russia have already fielded hypersonic weapons with initial capabilities. It is therefore essential that the U.S. responds through development of effective defensive measures.

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