March 17, 2014

SENIOR NAVY OFFICIAL PATIENT ON INTEROPERABLE WARHEADS

By ExchangeMonitor

The nuclear weapons complex is facing a steep technical challenge and an even steeper price tag as it examines the feasibility of interoperable warheads that could be fielded on ground-launched and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, but while hopes are high that the approach could usher in a new strategy for the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, a senior Navy official is taking a wait-and-see approach to the strategy. Speaking at the Capitol Hill Club yesterday, Vice Adm. Terry Benedict, the director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, emphasized the importance of the current refurbishment study on the W78/W88 warhead, which is the first of three interoperable warheads planned under the “3+2” stockpile management strategy endorsed by the Nuclear Weapons Council earlier this year. “The concept of a 78/88-1 LEP is one that from an execution standpoint certainly makes sense, but I will tell you that my position is it’s one that’s going to require a significant amount of good technical analysis, good engineering work and focused effort by both services as well as in NNSA to fit within the enterprise,” Benedict said.

Benedict’s caution is probably prudent, and nothing new. Last year, the Navy pushed the Nuclear Weapons Council to add an option on refurbishing just the W88 warhead to provide an off ramp in case the interoperable warhead proves to be too challenging, or too expensive. Congressional committees have taken similar action, with the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee unveiling language this week that would ensure the NNSA examines a broad variety of options for the refurbishment of the W78 warhead, which would include, but not exclusively, an interoperable warhead. However, in authorizing the “3+2” stockpile management strategy earlier this year, the Nuclear Weapons Council further committed to the interoperable warhead concept, proposing two additional interoperable warheads: on the W87/W88 and another involving the W76-1.
 
The price tag for the warheads could prove to be problematic, however. The NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan estimates the cost of the W78/W88-1 refurbishment at $14 billion, while the W87/W88 could cost more than $13 billion and a third interoperable warhead on the W76 could cost around $12 billion. Benedict noted that the jury is still out on whether the interoperable approach will be cost effective. “That’s what the 6.2a has to validate,” he told NW&M Monitor, referring to the design definition and cost study which would follow the ongoing 6.2 feasibility study and option down select. “We’re going to do the work in the 6.2 and we’re going to cost it in the 6.2a. I think that information has to stand on its own. The business case analysis at that point then needs to explore the lifecycle. You’d have the life cycle of keeping X number of weapons supportable throughout the future versus a reduced stockpile and what’s the payback? Is it five years? Is it 50 years?”

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NEW: Via public records request, I’ve been able to confirm reporting today that a warrant has been issued for DOE deputy asst. secretary of spent fuel and waste disposition Sam Brinton for another luggage theft, this time at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid airport. (cc: @EMPublications)

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