The Nuclear Arsenal | Defense News

Nuclear Arsenal

Republicans lay battle lines over Biden’s plan to retire B83 megaton bomb

Congressional Republicans are pushing back against the president’s plan to retire an aging nuclear weapon, decrying the effort during a series of hearings this week dedicated to the administration’s fiscal 2023 budget request for nuclear forces and atomic energy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, second left, and Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov, left, during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. Putin has ordered Russian nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West over his invasion of Ukraine. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

No changes coming to US nuclear posture after Russian threat

In the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent nuclear orders to his forces, the top military officer responsible for America’s nuclear arsenal has not made any moves of its own.

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.

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.

By Huizhong Wu and Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

Raytheon wins $2B contract for new nuclear cruise missile

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

By Valerie Insinna

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.

By Rachel S. Cohen

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.

By Jonathan Lemire, The Associated Press

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

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

Congressional Republicans are pushing back against the president’s plan to retire an aging nuclear weapon, decrying the effort during a series of hearings this week dedicated to the administration’s fiscal 2023 budget request for nuclear forces and atomic energy.

In the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent nuclear orders to his forces, the top military officer responsible for America’s nuclear arsenal has not made any moves of its own.

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.

More Stories

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.

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.

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