US Army Weapons “US Nuclear Deterrence and the Latest US Weapons” in the US Army Budget 2022

Bayanalysis - "...Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of US national security...and I believe it must be modernized in order to be safe and reliable." Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Kathleen Hicks.

Modernizing the country's nuclear delivery, command, control, and communications systems is the department's number one priority, and these programs are funded in the FY 2022 budget request.

The department has consistently received strong bipartisan support in Congress for the task of modernizing nuclear deterrence.

Most of the country's nuclear deterrence delivery systems, built in the 1980s and earlier, reach the end of their service life in the 2025-2035 time frame, with all existing systems now extended beyond their original service life.

Replacement programs are underway to ensure there are no capacity gaps when legacy systems become obsolete.

There is little timeline margin between outdating the legacy system and introducing replacement systems.

Recapitalizing nuclear platforms, delivery systems, and associated support systems will require significant investments over the next 20 years.

The amount spent to recapitalize the nuclear facility is not expected to exceed 7 percent of the administration's budget during that period.

The table below shows funding for eight important weapons systems.

 

Ground Strategic Deterrence (GBSD):
The GBSD system will replace the 1970s-era intercontinental ballistic missile (WS) weapons system, including new missiles, WS command and control systems, and ground-based systems; Conversion, modernization and replacement of the MM III infrastructure, starting in late 2020.

GBSD will maintain the responsive and stable attributes of the Triad ground leg, while providing increased capacity, enhanced safety, improved reliability, and reduced lifecycle sustainability costs on the MM III.

The increased funding for the program in FY21 and FY22 reflects its entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase in the last quarter of FY20.

GBSD plans to conduct its first flight test in fiscal year 2024. Long-Range Cruise Missile (LRSO): LRSO's efforts will develop a weapon system to replace the AGM-86B Air Launched cruise missile, which entered service in 1982.

LRSO
The weapon system will be able to penetrate advanced integrated air defense systems and survive large standoff ranges to keep strategic targets at risk in support of the Air Force's primary mission of nuclear deterrence operations.

The LRSO is also critical as a hedge against risk in other, more complex nuclear deterrence system development programs and in enhancing the DoD's deterrent credibility to reassure US allies. The program is in the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) stage and plans to decide on Core Phase B and enter the EMD stage in the third quarter of FY21.

Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN):
The Columbia Class SSBN is being developed to replace OHIO Class SSBNs beginning in October 2030. The Navy will maintain the OHIO Class to ensure a smooth transition of the naval portion of the Triad with the Columbia Class SSBN.

Columbia successfully completed Milestone B class program in January 2017.

Fiscal year 2022 includes the second increase in the full funding of the flagship.

Extending the life of the Trident 2 (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missile

(D5LE) / (D5LE2):

The D5LE software extends the life of the D5 SLBM and will be deployed on both OHIO Class and COLUMBIA Class SSBNs.

The D5LE is in production and achieved the initial introduction to the fleet in February 2017.

The D5LE2 is required to replace the D5LE in order to support the Columbia-class missile inventory and dump loads beginning in fiscal year 2039 at COLUMBIA Hull 9.

The D5LE2 will take advantage of a highly reliable solid rocket motor design and pair it with modern avionics electronics, guidance and structures to unleash the inherent flexibility and adaptability of the future.

The investment in D5LE2 begins now to maintain and update the most viable portion of the Triad.

B-21 Raider strategic bomber:
The B-21 Raider is being developed for an affordable, long-range breakthrough aircraft incorporating proven and mature technologies.

This launcher represents a key component of the combined portfolio of conventional and nuclear deep strike capabilities.
The first two B-21s are currently under construction.

The F-35A Dual Capability (DCA):
The F-35A DCA will replace the Air Force's F-16 DCA in support of Extended Deterrence. The F-35A DCA is scheduled to achieve nuclear certification in fiscal year 2024.

 B61 Mod 12 Life Extension Program (LEP) Tail Kit (TKA):
The B61 Mod 12 LEP Nuclear Gravity Bomb will combine four legacy B61 variants into one heavy bomber variant and DCA.

The Air Force-funded TKA will be paired with the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) bomb kit to extend the life of the B61 gravity bomb while making it safer, safer and more reliable.

TKA received full production approval in October 2020.

Command, Control, and Nuclear Communications (NC3):


The NC3 system is critical to the nation's nuclear project.

Provides secure and flexible communication between the President and the nuclear forces via ground, airborne, naval and space components.

The Department prioritizes resources to modernize legacy NC3 systems that are nearing or past the end of their lifespan, and structure the NC3's Next Generation capability in ongoing support for strategic deterrence.