GAO BACKS AIR FORCE/NNSA NUKE TRANSPORTATION STUDY

The Government Accountability Office has given a sound bill of health to a 2009 Air Force/National Nuclear Security Administration study that recommended against increasing the transport of nuclear weapons via air travel. The GAO was asked by Congress to analyze the results and methodology of the Congressionally mandated study that found that despite technological advances, changes in operational requirements, and decreased threat assessments, transporting nuclear weapons via the air is still not a good idea. “The [joint] report was supported by generally acceptable methods for developing transportation options and evaluating safety, security, and operational requirements for these options,” the GAO said. “The assessment of safety risk from a possible airplane crash transporting nuclear weapons was the key factor supporting the report’s conclusions to maintain the current balance of air and ground transportation of nuclear weapons. In addition, the majority of the nuclear weapons in the active nuclear stockpile require special DOD approval to be transported by air.” The GAO said the report was backed up by sound methodology, but did not analyze all costs for involved in the transportation option, including developing infrastructure like airfields.