Building the Bomb in the Next Millennium: Are We on a Prudent Path to the Future

摘要

This paper examines current Department of Energy (DOE) programs to assess whetheror not the United States will be able to rebuild or remanufacture nuclear weapons in the year 2005 and beyond. The target audience is the DOE and DOD strategic policymakers and nuclear weapons managers. It provides a perspective focused by the academic rigor of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. This examination covers the strengths and weaknesses of the current DOE Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan including its major strategy, the Stockpile Life Extension Program, as well other programs intended to maintain the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. To maintain a safe and reliable nuclear deterrence for future generations, the U.S. must keep these programs focused on sustaining nuclear weapons capabilities. The conclusion is that if DOE remains on the current path, it will be able to rebuild or remanufacture nuclear weapons beyond the year 2005. The plans and programs being put in place today nonetheless raise several areas which require management attention. A serious concern at the policy level is that political and economic pressures will cause DOE to deviate from the desired course. This paper provides a discussion of programs, policies, and challenges and concludes with a series of recommendations which will ensure that the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile will remain a viable deterrent well into the next millennium.