The National Nuclear Security Administration on Monday issued its latest planning documents for programs to maintain the U.S. nuclear arsenal and deter the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.
The fiscal 2017 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan – Biennial Summary Plan addresses the state of the nuclear arsenal, including multiple weapon life-extension programs; “challenges and strategies associated with the critical capabilities necessary” to carry out the Stockpile Stewardship Program; and budgeting, milestones, and accomplishments in fiscal 2015.
“Much was accomplished in FY 2015 as part of the program of record described in this year’s SSMP,” NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz stated in an introductory message to the document. “The science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program allowed the Secretaries of Energy and Defense to certify for the twentieth time that the stockpile remains safe, secure, and effective without the need for underground nuclear explosive testing.”
Klotz noted that the agency’s weapons activities budget has increased by 45 percent since 2010, and that the fiscal 2017 budget request would spike funding by 4.5 percent, or $396 million, from current levels.
The Prevent, Counter, and Respond—A Strategic Plan to Reduce Global Nuclear Threats (FY 2017–FY 2021) report highlights changes in the threat environment since the inaugural report in 2015, notably the nuclear deal with Iran, increasing tension with Russia, and terrorist strikes in the United States and Russia.
Internal NNSA developments over the past year included the shift of some responsibilities from the NNSA Office of Emergency Operations to its Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation, the report says. “These changes will increase coordination in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from all-hazard emergencies and major disruptions to our nation’s energy system. The changes also consolidate all threat assessment and incident response assets involving nuclear and radiological material and facilities,” the NNSA said.
