The Future of the Nuclear Triad and Modern Deterrence

Nuclear Triad

Russia’s Sarmat test underscores need to modernize US nuclear triad

Russian President Putin’s behavior stands in stark contrast with the Biden administration’s decision to postpone and then cancel a launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

Modernizing US nuclear deterrence presents a rare bipartisan opportunity

A former senator argues America’s intercontinental ballistic missiles are the foundation of nuclear deterrence, but that they must be modernized to remain effective.

Lawmakers set for battle over next-gen nuclear missile

Nuclear modernization opponents and defenders are gearing up to fight again this year over the future ICBM and other efforts.

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.

Washington’s battle over nuclear weapons budget already underway

The U.S. budget cycle is just getting started, but already Democrats and Republicans are in a war of words over whether to curb or continue the trajectory of spending on nuclear weapons modernization.

VIDEOS

Here's why America's next nuclear gravity bomb could be delayed

Dr. Charles Verdon, the head of defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, talks with Aaron Mehta about delays to the B61-12 nuclear bomb

Hagel on the state of the nuclear force

Hagel on the nuclear posture review

Nuclear modernization cost estimated at $1.2 trillion

A sneak peek at America’s future nuclear missiles

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.

By James R. Webb

Washington’s battle over nuclear weapons budget already underway

The U.S. budget cycle is just getting started, but already Democrats and Republicans are in a war of words over whether to curb or continue the trajectory of spending on nuclear weapons modernization.

By Joe Gould

New Senate defense appropriations chairman talks nuclear modernization, defense cuts and earmarks

Defense News spoke with Sen. Jon Tester about his priorities as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subpanel.

By Joe Gould

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

Next-gen ICBM program survives defunding attempt in House panel

The House Armed Services Committee has shot down a plan that would've slashed funding for the Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program.

By Joe Gould

Keep modernization of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program on track

Today, nuclear deterrence is more important than ever, which is why we must prioritize efforts to modernize the triad.

By Former U.S. Air Force secretaries and chiefs of staff

Here's why America's next nuclear gravity bomb could be delayed

Dr. Charles Verdon, the head of defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, talks with Aaron Mehta about delays to the B61-12 nuclear bomb

Nuclear gravity bomb and warhead upgrades face new delays

The B61-12 delay could be as long as 18 months.

By Joe Gould and Aaron Mehta

Milley throws support behind nuclear modernization, Space Force

The confirmation hearing for President Trump's pick as the top uniformed officer for the Pentagon went smoothly.

By Aaron Mehta

The US must deploy a sub-launched low-yield nuke

To address an important gap in America’s security, the country must modernize its nuclear arsenal.

By Bradley Bowman and Andrew Gabel

Low-yield nukes lose partisan fight in House committee’s NDAA markup

Republicans lost a series of votes in the Democratic-led House Armed Services Committee.

By Joe Gould

Distributed deterrence: The continuing utility of ICBMs

The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review reaffirmed the need for a nuclear triad. Now comes the hard part.

By Thomas Karako

Fight over America’s nuclear arsenal heats up in Congress

U.S. lawmakers have drawn battle lines over whether full nuclear modernization is worth the cost, and now they’re gathering ammunition.

By Joe Gould

Trump’s new nuclear weapon has entered production

The W76-2 will be launched by submarines.

By Aaron Mehta

Nuclear Triad

Russian President Putin’s behavior stands in stark contrast with the Biden administration’s decision to postpone and then cancel a launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

A former senator argues America’s intercontinental ballistic missiles are the foundation of nuclear deterrence, but that they must be modernized to remain effective.

Nuclear modernization opponents and defenders are gearing up to fight again this year over the future ICBM and other efforts.

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

The U.S. budget cycle is just getting started, but already Democrats and Republicans are in a war of words over whether to curb or continue the trajectory of spending on nuclear weapons modernization.

VIDEOS

Dr. Charles Verdon, the head of defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, talks with Aaron Mehta about delays to the B61-12 nuclear bomb

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More Stories

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

The U.S. budget cycle is just getting started, but already Democrats and Republicans are in a war of words over whether to curb or continue the trajectory of spending on nuclear weapons modernization.

Defense News spoke with Sen. Jon Tester about his priorities as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subpanel.

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

The House Armed Services Committee has shot down a plan that would've slashed funding for the Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program.

Today, nuclear deterrence is more important than ever, which is why we must prioritize efforts to modernize the triad.

Dr. Charles Verdon, the head of defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, talks with Aaron Mehta about delays to the B61-12 nuclear bomb

The B61-12 delay could be as long as 18 months.

The confirmation hearing for President Trump's pick as the top uniformed officer for the Pentagon went smoothly.

To address an important gap in America’s security, the country must modernize its nuclear arsenal.

Republicans lost a series of votes in the Democratic-led House Armed Services Committee.

The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review reaffirmed the need for a nuclear triad. Now comes the hard part.

U.S. lawmakers have drawn battle lines over whether full nuclear modernization is worth the cost, and now they’re gathering ammunition.

The W76-2 will be launched by submarines.

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