Nuclear Weapons

U.S. nuclear weapons are aging, with key components reaching the end of their service life. In September 2008, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Nuclear Security Admin. (NNSA) began a study of military requirements and design options for extending the B61 bomb¿s service life. The B61 supports the U.S. strategic deterrent and NATO. This report assessed the extent to which DoD and NNSA have: (1) considered the time available to begin producing refurbished bombs when determining the scope of the study; and (2) taken actions to avoid operational gaps in U.S. nuclear weapons commitments to NATO during the life extension program. Includes recommend. Illus. This is a print on demand report.