Special Report: 21st Century Nuclear Deterrence

Deterrence is a strategy that seeks to prevent an actor from taking specific action, and has been central to keeping peace for nearly 70 years. DepartmentofDefense SearchDefense.gov: Search SpecialReports QUICKLINKS Legal&Administrative Privacy&SecurityLinksDisclaimerInspectorGeneralSection508ImageryUseFOIANoFEARActWebPolicyPlainWritingActOpenGOVStrategicPlanSmallBusinessActSiteMap Skiptomaincontent(PressEnter). LegacyHomepageNewsSpecialReports21stCenturyNuclearDeterrence ▲ OVERVIEW NEWS NONPROLIFERATION&SECURITY PERSONNEL REFERENCES READINESS PARTNERS Youhavereachedacollectionofarchivedmaterial.Thecontentavailableisnolongerbeingupdatedandmaynolongerbeapplicable. 21stCENTURYNUCLEARDETERRENCE&MISSILEDEFENSE Scroll × GeneralHytenRemarkson21stCenturyStrategicDeterrence Close AboutDeterrence Deterrenceisastrategythatseekstopreventanactorfromtakingspecificaction,andhasbeencentraltokeepingpeacefornearly70years.Applyingtheenduringconceptsofdeterrencerequiresacontinuousefforttotailorasthesecurityenvironmentevolves. NUCLEARFORCES Acombinationofflexible,diverseandresilientnuclearforcesunderpinseffectivedeterrence.Intercontinentalballisticmissilesonlandandatsea,strategicbombers,nonstrategicnuclearforces,andarobustcommandandcontrolsystemconstituteU.S.nuclearforces. MISSILEDEFENSE MissiledefenseprotectstheUnitedStates,itsmilitaryforcesoverseas,anditsalliesandpartnersfromthreatsposedbyhostileballisticmissilesofallranges.Thecomprehensiveapproachconsistsofoperationstoneutralize,interceptandmitigateapotentialmissileattack. MODERNIZATION Allthreelegsofthetriadareapproachingobsolescenceandrequiremodernizationtoensureeffectivedeterrencewellintothe21stcentury.Thismodernizationincludesnonstrategicsystems–dual-capableaircraftandpursuitofasea-launchedcruisemissile. TAILOREDDETERRENCE Thereisno"onesizefitsall"deterrencestrategy.Thisdemandsadaptingstrategiestotailorthemforpotentialadversariesovertime,andaflexiblemixofforcesthatareeffectiveacrossarangeofsituations. EXTENDEDNUCLEARDETERRENCE TheU.S.extendsnuclearsecurityguaranteestoalliesinEuropeandAsia.Thissignalstoadversariestherisksofthreateningourallies’vitalinterests.ProvidingsecuritypartnersareliablealternativetopursuingindependentnuclearcapabilitiessupportsU.S.nonproliferationgoals. ARMSCONTROL Well-conceived,carefullynegotiatedandclearlyenforceabletreatiescontributetostability.TheUnitedStatesisopentorestoringanucleararmscontroldialoguewithRussiaonceRussiareturnstofullcompliancewithitsexistingtreatyobligations. DoDANNOUNCESNEWNUCLEARPOSTUREREVIEW Inlightoftherealitiesofthecontemporarythreatenvironment,the2018 NPRpresentsanassessmentofUSnuclearpolicythatisconsistentwithpast USpolicybyplacingpriorityontheneedtodeterpotentialadversaries, assurealliesandpartners,andhedgeagainstfuturerisks,whilealso seekinggreatercooperationwherepossibleinsupportofarmscontroland globalnon-proliferationefforts. SPECIALREPORT WatchNow:OnDeterrence DoDANNOUNCESNEWNUCLEARPOSTUREREVIEW Inlightoftherealitiesofthecontemporarythreatenvironment,the2018 NPRpresentsanassessmentofUSnuclearpolicythatisconsistentwithpast USpolicybyplacingpriorityontheneedtodeterpotentialadversaries, assurealliesandpartners,andhedgeagainstfuturerisks,whilealso seekinggreatercooperationwherepossibleinsupportofarmscontroland globalnon-proliferationefforts. SPECIALREPORT NPR NUCLEARPOSTUREREVIEW PresidentDonaldJ.TrumpdirectedDefenseSecretaryJamesN.MattistoinitiateanewNPRtoensurethenation'snucleardeterrentismodern,robust,flexible,resilient,readyandappropriatelytailoredtodeter21stcenturythreatsandreassuresallies.  GeneralHytenRemarkson21stCenturyStrategicDeterrence MDR MISSILEDEFENSEREVIEW PresidentTrumpdirectedSecretaryMattistoidentifywaystostrengthenmissiledefensecapabilities,rebalancehomelandandtheaterdefensepriorities,andprovidethenecessarypolicyandstrategyframeworkforournation'smissiledefensesystems.Thisreviewisongoing. 21stCenturyDeterrenceComponents Clickbelowtolearnmore Space&Cyber InformationSuperiority Enablestheabilitytobemoreaware,agileandeffectivethantheenemy. BallisticMissileDefenseSystem ActiveDefenseCapabilities Incorporatesavarietyofsensorswithground-andsea-basedinterceptormissilestotrack,engageanddestroyballisticmissiles. IntercontinentalBallisticMissiles Ready,Reliable&Timely Complicatesadversaryattackplanningandprovidespromptresponsearound-the-clock. Command,Control EnsuringDecisionAuthority Warnsnationalcommandauthorityofattackandlinksnationalcommandauthoritywithforcesinthefieldtopreservedecisiontimeandmaintaineffectiveness. DOE/NNSALaboratories EnhancingNuclearSecurity Ensuresthenationsustainsthenucleardeterrentthroughtheapplicationofscienceandtechnology. Bombers&DCA Flexible Theabilitytoforward-deployU.S.bombersanddual-capableaircraftdemonstratesU.S.intentandtheseverityofthecrisistoalliesandadversaries. BallisticMissileSubmarines Survivable Assuredsecondstrikecapability,evenagainstsurpriseattack,therebyenablinggreaterflexibilityinthedecision-makingcycle. × Space&Cyber InformationSuperiority Enablestheabilitytobemoreaware,agileandeffectivethantheenemy. (NoVideo) U.S.CyberCommand OnJune23,2009,thedefensesecretarydirectedthecommanderofU.S.StrategicCommandtoestablishasub-unifiedcommand,UnitedStatesCyberCommand.FulloperationalcapabilitywasachievedOct.31,2010.ThecommandislocatedatFortMeade,Maryland. XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Commander NavyAdm.MichaelS.Rogers Mission U.S.CyberCommandplans,coordinates,integrates,synchronizesandconductsactivitiestodirecttheoperationsanddefenseofspecifiedDefenseDepartmentinformationnetworks;prepareto,andwhendirected,conductfullspectrummilitarycyberspaceoperationsinordertoenableactionsinalldomains;andensurefreedomofactionfortheU.S.anditsalliesincyberspaceanddenythesametothenation'sadversaries. Focus Thecommandhasthreemainfocusareas:defendingtheDepartmentofDefenseInformationNetwork,providingsupporttocombatantcommandersforexecutionoftheirmissionsaroundtheworld,andstrengtheningthenation'sabilitytowithstandandrespondtocyberattack. Thecommandunifiesthedirectionofcyberspaceoperations,strengthensDefenseDepartmentcyberspacecapabilities,andintegratesandbolstersDoD'scyberexpertise.CybercomimprovesDoD'scapabilitiestooperateresilient,reliableinformationandcommunicationnetworks,countercyberspacethreatsandassureaccesstocyberspace.Cybercomisdesigningthecyberforcestructure,trainingrequirementsandcertificationstandardsthatwillenabletheservicestobuildthecyberforcerequiredtoexecutethecommand'sassignedmissions.Thecommandalsoworkscloselywithinteragencyandinternationalpartnersinexecutingthesecriticalmissions. Organization U.S.CyberCommandisasub-unifiedcombatantcommandsubordinatetoU.S.StrategicCommand.ItsserviceelementsincludeArmyCyberCommand,FleetCyberCommand,AirForceCyberCommandandMarineForcesCyberCommand.CoastGuardCyberCommand,althoughsubordinatetotheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity,hasadirectsupportrelationshiptoCybercom.Thecommandisalsostandingupdedicatedcybermissionteamstoaccomplishthethreeelementsofitsmission. Seal Theeagle,theU.S.nationalsymbol,isreveredforitskeeneyesight,whichallowsittopiercethedarknessandremainvigilant.Thetwoswordsontheshieldrepresentthedualnatureofthecommandtodefendthenationand,ifnecessary,engageourenemiesinthecyberdomain.Thelightningboltsymbolizesthespeedofoperationsincyber,andthekeyillustratesthecommand'sroletosecurethenation'scyberdomain. (LastupdatedMarch2015) DefenseSupportProgramSatellites AirForceSpaceCommand-operatedDefenseSupportProgramsatellitesareakeypartofNorthAmerica'searlywarningsystems.Intheir22,300-mile,geosynchronousorbits,DSPsatelliteshelpprotecttheU.S.anditsalliesbydetectingmissilelaunches,spacelaunchesandnucleardetonations. Mission AirForceSpaceCommand-operatedDefenseSupportProgram(DSP)satellitesareakeypartofNorthAmerica'searlywarningsystems.Intheir22,300-mile,geosynchronousorbits,DSPsatelliteshelpprotecttheUnitedStatesanditsalliesbydetectingmissilelaunches,spacelaunchesandnucleardetonations. Features DSPsatellitesuseaninfraredsensortodetectheatfrommissileandboosterplumesagainsttheEarth'sbackground.In1995,technologicaladvancementsweremadetogroundprocessingsystems,enhancingdetectioncapabilityofsmallermissilestoprovideimprovedwarningofattackbyshort-rangemissilesagainstU.S.andalliedforcesoverseas. NumerousimprovementprojectshaveenabledDSPtoprovideaccurate,reliabledatainthefaceofevolvingmissilethreats.On-stationsensorreliabilityhasprovideduninterruptedservicewellpasttheirdesignlifetime.Recenttechnologicalimprovementsinsensordesignincludeabove-the-horizoncapabilityforfullhemisphericcoverageandimprovedresolution.Increasedon-boardsignal-processingcapabilityimprovesclutterrejection.Enhancedreliabilityandsurvivabilityimprovementswerealsoincorporated.TheSpaceBasedInfraredSystemisprojectedtoreplaceDSP. Background TheprogramcametolifewiththefirstlaunchofaDefenseSupportProgramsatelliteintheearly1970s.Sincethattime,DSPsatelliteshaveprovidedanuninterruptedspace-basedearlywarningcapability.TheoriginalDSPsatelliteweighed2,000poundsandhad400wattsofpower,2,000detectors,andadesignlifeof1.25years.Throughoutthelifeoftheprogram,thesatellitehasundergonenumerousimprovementstoenhancereliabilityandcapability.Theweightgrewto5,250pounds,powerto1,516watts,numberofdetectorsincreasedto6,000,andthedesignlifehasincreasedtoagoaloffiveyears. The460thSpaceWing,withheadquartersatBuckleyAirForceBase,Colorado,hasunitsthatoperateDSPsatellitesandreportwarninginformation,viacommunicationslinks,toNorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommand,U.S.NorthernCommandandU.S.StrategicCommandearlywarningcenterswithinCheyenneMountainAirForceStation,locatednearColoradoSprings,Colorado.Thesecentersimmediatelyforwarddatatovariousagenciesandareasofoperationsaroundtheworld. Typically,DSPsatelliteswerelaunchedintogeosynchronousorbitonaTitanIVboosterandinertialupperstagecombination.However,oneDSPsatellitewaslaunchedusingthespaceshuttleonmissionSTS-44(Nov.24,1991).ThefinalDSPsatellitewaslaunchedonthenewEvolvedExpendableLaunchVehicleDelta-4,Heavy,inNovember2007. DSP'seffectivenesswasprovenduringOperationDesertStorm,whenDSPdetectedthelaunchofIraqiScudmissilesandprovidedwarningtocivilianpopulationsandcoalitionforcesinIsraelandSaudiArabia. GeneralCharacteristics Primarymission:strategicandtacticalmissilelaunchdetection Contractor:Northrop-Grumman Weight:5,250pounds(2,386kilograms) Orbitaltitude:approximately22,300miles(35,970kilometers) Powerplant:solararraysgenerate1,516watts Height:32.8feet(10meters)onorbit;28feet(8.5meters)atlaunch Diameter:22feet(6.7meters)onorbit;13.7feet(4.2meters)atlaunch Datedeployed:1970 Latestsatelliteblock:sats18-23 Unitcost:$400million Operationalinventory:classified (CurrentasofNovember2015) Close × BallisticMissileDefenseSystem ActiveDefenseCapabilities Incorporatesavarietyofsensorswithground-andsea-basedinterceptormissilestotrack,engageanddestroyballisticmissiles. TheBallisticMissileDefenseSystem Missiledefensetechnologybeingdeveloped,testedanddeployedbytheUnitedStatesisdesignedtocounterballisticmissilesofallranges--short,medium,intermediateandlong.Sinceballisticmissileshavedifferentranges,speedsandsizeandperformancecharacteristics,theBallisticMissileDefenseSystemisanintegrated,"layered"architecturethatprovidesmultipleopportunitiestodestroymissilesandtheirwarheadsbeforetheycanreachtheirtargets.Thesystem'sarchitectureincludes: XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Background Networkedsensors(includingspace-based)andground-andsea-basedradarsfortargetdetectionandtracking; Ground-andsea-basedinterceptormissilesfordestroyingaballisticmissileusingeithertheforceofadirectcollision,called"hit-to-kill"technology,oranexplosiveblastfragmentationwarhead,and; Acommand,control,battlemanagementandcommunicationsnetworkprovidingtheoperationalcommanderswiththeneededlinksbetweenthesensorsandinterceptormissiles. MissiledefenseelementsareoperatedbyU.S.militarypersonnelfromU.S.StrategicCommand,U.S.NorthernCommand,U.S.PacificCommand,U.S.ForcesJapan,U.S.EuropeanCommandandotherorganizations.TheU.S.hasmissiledefensecooperativeprogramswithanumberofallies,includingtheUnitedKingdom,Japan,Australia,Israel,Denmark,Germany,theNetherlands,CzechRepublic,Poland,Italyandmanyothers.TheMissileDefenseAgencyalsoactivelyparticipatesinNATOactivitiestomaximizeopportunitiestodevelopanintegratedNATOballisticmissiledefensecapability. XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Close × IntercontinentalBallisticMissiles Ready,Reliable&Timely Complicatesadversaryattackplanningandprovidespromptresponsearound-the-clock. LGM-30GMinutemanIII TheLGM-30GMinutemanintercontinentalballisticmissile,orICBM,isanelementofthenation'sstrategicdeterrentforcesunderthecontroloftheAirForceGlobalStrikeCommand.The"L"inLGMistheDefenseDepartmentdesignationforsilo-launched;"G"meanssurfaceattack;"M"standsforguidedmissile,the30standsfortheMinutemanseriesofmissileandtheGafter“30”isthecurrentMinutemanIII. Mission TheLGM-30GMinutemanintercontinentalballisticmissile,orICBM,isanelementofthenation'sstrategicdeterrentforcesunderthecontroloftheAirForceGlobalStrikeCommand.The"L"inLGMistheDepartmentofDefensedesignationforsilo-launched;"G"meanssurfaceattack;"M"standsforguidedmissile,the30standsfortheMinutemanseriesofmissileandtheGafter“30”isthecurrentMinutemanIII. Features TheMinutemanisastrategicweaponsystemusingaballisticmissileofintercontinentalrange.Missilesaredispersedinhardenedsilostoprotectagainstattackandconnectedtoanundergroundlaunchcontrolcenterthroughasystemofhardenedcables.Launchcrews,consistingoftwoofficers,performaround-the-clockalertsinthelaunchcontrolcenter. Avarietyofcommunicationsystemsprovidethepresidentandsecretaryofdefensewithhighlyreliable,virtuallyinstantaneousdirectcontactwitheachlaunchcrew.Shouldcommandcapabilitybelostbetweenthelaunchcontrolcenterandremotemissilelaunchfacilities,speciallyconfiguredE-6Bairbornelaunchcontrolcenteraircraftautomaticallyassumecommandandcontroloftheisolatedmissileormissiles.Fullyqualifiedairbornemissilecombatcrewsaboardairbornelaunchcontrolcenteraircraftwouldexecutethepresident'sorders. Background TheMinutemanweaponsystemwasconceivedinthelate1950sandMinutemanIwasdeployedintheearly1960s.Minutemanwasarevolutionaryconceptandanextraordinarytechnicalachievement.Boththemissileandbasingcomponentsincorporatedsignificantadvancesbeyondtherelativelyslow-reacting,liquid-fueled,remotely-controlledintercontinentalballisticmissilesofthepreviousgeneration.Fromthebeginning,Minutemanmissileshaveprovidedaquick-reacting,inertiallyguided,highlysurvivablecomponenttoAmerica'sstrategicdeterrentprogram.Minuteman'smaintenanceconceptcapitalizesonhighreliabilityanda"removeandreplace"approachtoachieveanear100percentalertrate. Throughstate-of-the-artimprovements,theMinutemansystemhasevolvedtomeetnewchallengesandassumenewmissions.Modernizationprogramshaveresultedinnewversionsofthemissile,expandedtargetingoptions,improvedaccuracyandsurvivability.Today'sMinutemanweaponsystemistheproductofalmost60yearsofcontinuousenhancement. ThecurrentICBMforceconsistsofMinutemanIIImissileslocatedatthe90thMissileWingatF.E.WarrenAirForceBase,Wyoming;the341stMissileWingatMalmstromAirForceBase,Montana;andthe91stMissileWingatMinotAirForceBase,NorthDakota. GeneralCharacteristics Primaryfunction:intercontinentalballisticmissile Contractor:BoeingCo. Powerplant:threesolid-propellantrocketmotors:firststageATKrefurbishedM55A1;secondstageATKrefurbishedSR-19;thirdstageATKrefurbishedSR-73 Technologieschemicalsystemsdivisionthrust:firststage:203,158pounds;secondstage:60,793pounds;thirdstage:35,086pounds Weight:79,432pounds(36,030kilograms) Diameter:5.5feet(1.67meters) Range:6,000-plusmiles(5,218nauticalmiles) Speed:approximately15,000mph(Mach23or24,000kph)atburnout Ceiling:700miles(1,120kilometers) Datedeployed:June1970,productioncessation:December1978 Inventory:activeforce,406;Reserve,0;ANG,0 (CurrentasofApril2017) Close × Command,Control EnsuringDecisionAuthority Warnsnationalcommandauthorityofattackandlinksnationalcommandauthoritywithforcesinthefieldtopreservedecisiontimeandmaintaineffectiveness. U.S.StrategicCommandGlobalOperationsCenter TheGlobalOperationsCenter,orGOC,isthenervecenterforU.S.StrategicCommandthat’sresponsiblefortheglobalsituationalawarenessofStratcom’scommanderandthemechanismbywhichheexercisesoperationalcommandandcontrolofthenation'sglobalstrategicforces.Housedinaspeciallydesigned,two-level,14,000-square-footreinforcedconcreteandsteelstructure,theGOCcontainsthecriticalinformationmanagementandcommunicationsystemswhichprovidetheStratcomcommanderanassuredcapabilitytomanageforcesworldwide.Intimeofwar,theGOCcanbeisolatedwithanemergencypowersupplyallowingcontinuousoperationswithoutoutsidesupportforanextendedperiodoftime.Electromagneticpulseprotectionisprovidedforcriticalcommand,controlandcommunicationsequipmentaswellassupportingutilities.ThiscapabilityallowsthecommandertocontinuouslyexercisecommandoverStratcom’sforces,eveninthedisturbedelectromagneticenvironment,whichcouldfollowanuclearattack. Background XXXXXXXXXXX Background DuringperiodsofincreasedworldtensiontheGlobalOperationsCenterisfullystaffed.Thecommanderandmembersoftheseniorstaffoperateasabattlestafffromthecommander'ssituationroom,alsoknownastheCSRorSitRoom,whichactsasanextensionoftheGOC. Workstationconsolesprovidethebattlestaffstate-of-the-artsecureandnon-securevoicecommunicationsanddatamanagementsystems.Eachbattlestaffmemberhasaccesstoinformationessentialtodecision-makingandmanagementofthecommand'sforces.Supportbattlestaffmembersworkwithanadvanceddataprocessingsystemthatallowsthemtogeneratereal-timeupdatesfordecisionmakers. TheGlobalOperationsCenter'sdisplayandbriefingsupportsystemprovidescapabilitiesrangingfromvideoteleconferencingtoacompleteknowledgewallreflectiveofthecurrentglobalsituation. TheGlobalOperationsCenterisstaffed24hoursaday,365daysayear.WatchteamsconstantlymonitortheworldforstrategicthreatstotheUnitedStatesoritsallies.Strategicassessmentsarecombinedwithinputsfromnationalintelligenceandregionalcombatantcommanderstoprovidetheteamwithindicationsthatcouldinitiateadaptiveplanningandcourseofactiondevelopment.Thisinformationisprovidedtothecommanderandotherdecision-makingauthorities.Basedonpresidentialorders,theGOCwillexecuteglobalstrikemissionsorsendemergencyactionmessagestothestrategicnuclearforces. IntheeventthattheGlobalOperationsCenterbecomesdisabled,controlofstrategicforcesmaybepassedtotheAirborneCommandPost,whichiscrewedandreadytolaunch24hoursaday,ensuringasurvivablecommandandcontrolplatformforthecommander. XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Close × DOE/NNSALaboratories EnhancingNuclearSecurity Ensuresthenationsustainsthenucleardeterrentthroughtheapplicationofscienceandtechnology. (NoVideo) OurMission EstablishedbyCongressin2000,theNationalNuclearSecurityAdministrationisasemi-autonomousagencywithintheDepartmentofEnergyresponsibleforenhancingnationalsecuritythroughthemilitaryapplicationofnuclearscience.NNSAmaintainsandenhancesthesafety,security,andeffectivenessoftheU.S.nuclearweaponsstockpilewithoutnucleartesting;workstoreducetheglobaldangerfromweaponsofmassdestruction;providestheNavywithsafeandeffectivenuclearpropulsion;andrespondstonuclearandradiologicalemergenciesintheU.S.andabroad. PleasevisittheDepartmentofEnergy'snuclearsecuritywebspecialtolearnmoreaboutournation'scapabilitieswithintheNationalNuclearSecurityAdministration'slaboratoryenterprisebyclickingontheaboveicon. Close × Bombers&DCA Flexible Theabilitytoforward-deployU.S.bombersanddual-capableaircraftdemonstratesU.S.intentandtheseverityofthecrisistoalliesandadversaries. B-2Spirit TheB-2Spiritisamultirolebombercapableofdeliveringbothconventionalandnuclearmunitions.Adramaticleapforwardintechnology,thebomberrepresentsamajormilestoneintheU.S.bombermodernizationprogram.TheB-2bringsmassivefirepowertobear,inashorttime,anywhereontheglobethroughpreviouslyimpenetrabledefenses. Mission TheB-2Spiritisamultirolebombercapableofdeliveringbothconventionalandnuclearmunitions.Adramaticleapforwardintechnology,thebomberrepresentsamajormilestoneintheU.S.bombermodernizationprogram.TheB-2bringsmassivefirepowertobear,inashorttime,anywhereontheglobethroughpreviouslyimpenetrabledefenses. Features TheB-2providesthepenetratingflexibilityandeffectivenessinherentinmannedbombers.Itslow-observable,or"stealth,"characteristicsgiveittheuniqueabilitytopenetrateanenemy'smostsophisticateddefensesandthreatenitsmostvalued,andheavilydefended,targets.TheB-2’scapabilitytopenetrateairdefensesandthreateneffectiveretaliationprovidesastrong,effectivedeterrentandcombatforcewellintothe21stcentury. Therevolutionaryblendingoflow-observabletechnologieswithhighaerodynamicefficiencyandlargepayloadgivestheB-2importantadvantagesoverexistingbombers.Itslow-observabilityprovidesitgreaterfreedomofactionathighaltitudes,thusincreasingitsrangeandabetterfieldofviewfortheaircraft'ssensors.Itsunrefueledrangeisapproximately6,000nauticalmiles(9,600kilometers). TheB-2'slowobservabilityisderivedfromacombinationofreducedinfrared,acoustic,electromagneticandvisualandradarsignatures.Thesesignaturesmakeitdifficultforsophisticateddefensivesystemstodetect,trackandengagetheB-2.Manyaspectsofthelow-observabilityprocessremainclassified;however,theB-2'scompositematerials,specialcoatingsandflying-wingdesignallcontributetoits"stealthiness." TheB-2hasacrewoftwopilots,apilotintheleftseatandmissioncommanderintheright,comparedtotheB-1B'screwoffourandtheB-52'screwoffive. Background ThefirstB-2waspubliclydisplayedNov.22,1988,whenitwasrolledoutofitshangaratAirForcePlant42,Palmdale,California.ItsfirstflightwasJuly17,1989.TheB-2CombinedTestForce,AirForceFlightTestCenter,EdwardsAirForceBase,California,isresponsibleforflighttestingtheengineering,manufacturinganddevelopmentaircraftontheB-2. WhitemanAirForceBase,Missouri,istheonlyoperationalbasefortheB-2.Thefirstaircraft,SpiritofMissouri,wasdeliveredDec.17,1993.DepotmaintenanceresponsibilityfortheB-2isperformedbyAirForcecontractorsupportandismanagedattheOklahomaCityAirLogisticsCenteratTinkerAirForceBase,Oklahoma. ThecombateffectivenessoftheB-2wasprovedinOperationAlliedForce,whereitwasresponsiblefordestroying33percentofallSerbiantargetsinthefirsteightweeks,byflyingnonstoptoKosovofromitshomebaseinMissouriandback.InsupportofOperationEnduringFreedom,theB-2flewoneofitslongestmissionstodatefromWhitemantoAfghanistanandback.TheB-2completeditsfirst-evercombatdeploymentinsupportofOperationIraqiFreedom,flying22sortiesfromaforwardoperatinglocationaswellas27sortiesfromWhitemanAirForceBaseandreleasingmorethan1.5millionpoundsofmunitions.TheaircraftreceivedfulloperationalcapabilitystatusinDecember2003.OnFeb.1,2009,theAirForce'snewestcommand,AirForceGlobalStrikeCommand,assumedresponsibilityfortheB-2fromAirCombatCommand. Theprimecontractor,responsibleforoverallsystemdesignandintegration,isNorthropGrummanIntegratedSystemsSector.BoeingMilitaryAirplanesCo.,HughesRadarSystemsGroup,GeneralElectricAircraftEngineGroupandVoughtAircraftIndustriesInc.,arekeymembersoftheaircraftcontractorteam. GeneralCharacteristics Primaryfunction:multiroleheavybomber Contractor:NorthropGrummanCorp.andContractorTeam:BoeingMilitaryAirplanesCo.,HughesRadarSystemsGroup,GeneralElectricAircraftEngineGroupandVoughtAircraftIndustriesInc. Powerplant:fourGeneralElectricF118-GE-100engines Thrust:17,300poundseachengine Wingspan:172feet(52.12meters) Length:69feet(20.9meters) Height:17feet(5.1meters) Weight:160,000pounds(72,575kilograms) Maximumtakeoffweight:336,500pounds(152,634kilograms) Fuelcapacity:167,000pounds(75750kilograms) Payload:40,000pounds(18,144kilograms) Speed:highsubsonic Range:intercontinental Ceiling:50,000feet(15,240meters) Armament:conventionalornuclearweapons Crew:Twopilots Unitcost:Approximately$1.157billion(fiscal1998constantdollars) Initialoperatingcapability:April1997 Inventory:activeforce:20(1test);AirNationalGuard:0;reserve:0 (CurrentasofSeptember2015) B-52Stratofortress TheB-52isalong-range,heavybomberthatcanperformavarietyofmissions.Thebomberiscapableofflyingathighsubsonicspeedsataltitudesupto50,000feet(15,166.6meters).Itcancarrynuclearorprecisionguidedconventionalordnancewithworldwideprecisionnavigationcapability. Mission TheB-52isalong-range,heavybomberthatcanperformavarietyofmissions.Thebomberiscapableofflyingathighsubsonicspeedsataltitudesupto50,000feet(15,166.6meters).Itcancarrynuclearorprecisionguidedconventionalordnancewithworldwideprecisionnavigationcapability. Features Inaconventionalconflict,theB-52canperformstrategicattack,close-airsupport,airinterdiction,offensivecounter-airandmaritimeoperations. DuringDesertStorm,B-52sdelivered40percentofalltheweaponsdroppedbycoalitionforces.Itishighlyeffectivewhenusedforoceansurveillance,andcanassisttheU.S.Navyinanti-shipandmine-layingoperations.TwoB-52s,intwohours,canmonitor140,000squaremiles(364,000squarekilometers)ofoceansurface. AllB-52scanbeequippedwithtwoelectro-opticalviewingsensors,aforward-lookinginfraredandadvancedtargetingpodstoaugmenttargeting,battleassessment,andflightsafety,thusfurtherimprovingitscombatability. Pilotswearnightvisiongoggles,orNVG,toenhancetheirvisionduringnightoperations.Nightvisiongogglesprovidegreatersafetyduringnightoperationsbyincreasingthepilot'sabilitytovisuallyclearterrain,toincreasethepeacetimeandcombatsituationalawarenessoftheaircrewandvisuallyacquireotheraircraft. B-52sarecurrentlyupgradingfromtheLiteningAdvancedTargetingPodtotheSniperAdvancedTargetingPod.Sniperpodsprovideimprovedlong-rangetargetdetection/identificationandcontinuousstabilizedsurveillanceforallmissions,includingcloseairsupportofgroundforces.Thepod’sadvancedtargetingandimageprocessingtechnologysignificantlyincreasesthecombateffectivenessoftheB-52duringday,nightandunder-the-weatherconditionsintheattackofgroundtargetswithavarietyofstandoffweapons(i.e.,laser-guidedbombs,conventionalbombsandGPS-guidedweapons). TheuseofaerialrefuelinggivestheB-52arangelimitedonlybycrewendurance.Ithasanunrefueledcombatrangeinexcessof8,800miles(14,080kilometers). Background Formorethan40yearsB-52StratofortresseshavebeenthebackboneofthemannedstrategicbomberforcefortheUnitedStates.TheB-52iscapableofdroppingorlaunchingthewidestarrayofweaponsintheU.S.inventory.Thisincludesgravitybombs,clusterbombs,precisionguidedmissilesandjointdirectattackmunitions.UpdatedwithmoderntechnologytheB-52willbecapableofdeliveringthefullcomplementofjointdevelopedweaponsandwillcontinueintothe21stcenturyasanimportantelementofournation'sdefenses.CurrentengineeringanalysesshowtheB-52'slifespantoextendbeyondtheyear2040. TheB-52Afirstflewin1954,andtheBmodelenteredservicein1955.Atotalof744B-52swerebuiltwiththelast,aB-52H,deliveredinOctober1962.Thefirstof102B-52H'swasdeliveredtoStrategicAirCommandinMay1961.TheHmodelcancarryupto20airlaunchedcruisemissiles.Inaddition,itcancarrytheconventionalcruisemissilethatwaslaunchedinseveralcontingenciesduringthe1990s,startingwithOperationDesertStormandculminatingwithOperationIraqiFreedom. Theaircraft'sflexibilitywasevidentinOperationDesertStormandagainduringOperationAlliedForce.B-52sstruckwide-areatroopconcentrations,fixedinstallationsandbunkers,anddecimatedthemoraleofIraq'sRepublicanGuard.FromSept.2to3,1996,twoB-52H'sstruckBaghdadpowerstationsandcommunicationsfacilitieswith13AGM-86Cconventionalairlaunchedcruisemissiles,orCALCMs,aspartofOperationDesertStrike.Atthattime,thiswasthelongestdistanceflownforacombatmissioninvolvinga34-hour,16,000statutemileroundtripfromBarksdaleAirForceBase,Louisiana. In2001,theB-52contributedtothesuccessinOperationEnduringFreedom,providingtheabilitytoloiterhighabovethebattlefieldandprovidecloseairsupportthroughtheuseofprecisionguidedmunitions. TheB-52alsoplayedaroleinOperationIraqiFreedom.OnMarch21,2003,B-52Hslaunchedapproximately100CALCMsduringanightmission. OnlytheHmodelisstillintheAirForceinventoryandisassignedtothe5thBombWingatMinotAirForceBase,NorthDakotaandthe2ndBombWingatBarksdaleAirForceBase,whichfallunderAirForceGlobalStrikeCommand.TheaircraftisalsoassignedtotheAirForceReserveCommand's307thBombWingatBarksdaleAirForceBase. GeneralCharacteristics Primaryfunction:heavybomber Contractor:BoeingMilitaryAirplaneCo. Powerplant:EightPratt&WhitneyenginesTF33-P-3/103turbofan Thrust:eachengineupto17,000pounds Wingspan:185feet(56.4meters) Length:159feet,4inches(48.5meters) Height:40feet,8inches(12.4meters) Weight:Approximately185,000pounds(83,250kilograms) Maximumtakeoffweight:488,000pounds(219,600kilograms) Fuelcapacity:312,197pounds(141,610kilograms) Payload:70,000pounds(31,500kilograms) Speed:650milesperhour(Mach0.84) Range:8,800miles(7,652nauticalmiles) Ceiling:50,000feet(15,151.5meters) Armament:approximately70,000pounds(31,500kilograms)mixedordnance--bombs,minesandmissiles(modifiedtocarryair-launchedcruisemissiles) Crew:five(aircraftcommander,pilot,radarnavigator,navigatorandelectronicwarfareofficer) Unitcost:$84million(fiscal2012constantdollars) Initialoperatingcapability:April1952 Inventory:activeforce,58;AirNationalGuard,0;reserve,18 (CurrentasofSeptember2014) Close × BallisticMissileSubmarines Survivable Assuredsecondstrikecapability,evenagainstsurpriseattack,therebyenablinggreaterflexibilityinthedecision-makingcycle. FleetBallisticMissileSubmarines–SSBN Sincethe1960s,strategicdeterrencehasbeentheSSBN'ssolemission,providingtheUnitedStateswithitsmostsurvivableandenduringnuclearstrikecapability. Mission Sincethe1960s,strategicdeterrencehasbeentheSSBN'ssolemission,providingtheUnitedStateswithitsmostsurvivableandenduringnuclearstrikecapability. Features TheNavy'sballisticmissilesubmarines,oftenreferredtoas"boomers,"serveasanundetectablelaunchplatformformissiles.Theyaredesignedspecificallyforstealthandtheprecisedeliveryofnuclearwarheads. Eachofthe14Ohio-classSSBNscancarryupto20submarine-launchedballisticmissileswithmultiple,independently-targetedwarheads.Theballisticmissilesubmarine'sstrategicweaponistheTridentIID5missile,whichprovidesincreasedrangeandaccuracyoverthenowout-of-serviceTridentIC4missile. Ballisticmissilesubmarinesarespecificallydesignedforextendeddeterrentpatrols.Todecreasetheamountoftimerequiredforreplenishmentandmaintenance,Ohio-classsubmarineshavethreelarge-diameterlogisticshatchesthatallowsailorstorapidlytransfersupplypallets,equipmentreplacementmodulesandmachinerycomponents,therebyincreasingtheiroperationalavailability. TheOhio-classdesignallowsthesubmarinestooperatefor15ormoreyearsbetweenmajoroverhauls.Onaverage,thesubmarinesspend77daysatseafollowedby35daysin-portformaintenance.Eachsubmarinehastwocrews,BlueandGold,whichalternatemanningthesubmarinesandtakingthemonpatrol.Thismaximizesthesubmarine’sstrategicavailability,reducesthenumberofsubmarinesrequiredtomeetstrategicrequirementsandallowsforpropercrewtraining,readiness,andmorale. Submarines USSHenryM.Jackson(SSBN730),Bangor,Wash. USSAlabama(SSBN731),Bangor,Wash. USSAlaska(SSBN732),KingsBay,Ga. USSNevada(SSBN733),Bangor,Wash. USSTennessee(SSBN734),KingsBay,Ga. USSPennsylvania(SSBN735),Bangor,Wash. USSWestVirginia(SSBN736),KingsBay,Ga. USSKentucky(SSBN737),Bangor,Wash. USSMaryland(SSBN738),KingsBay,Ga. USSNebraska(SSBN739),Bangor,Wash. USSRhodeIsland(SSBN740),KingsBay,Ga. USSMaine(SSBN741),Bangor,Wash. USSWyoming(SSBN742),KingsBay,Ga. USSLouisiana(SSBN743),Bangor,Wash. (CurrentasofJanuary2016) XXXTITLEXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Close LeaderQuotes "Wenowhavetoconsiderspaceandcyberineverythingwedo....Wehavetoconsiderthedecisionsbeingmadeinoneregionoftheworldwillimpacttheoutcomeofadecisioninanotherregion.Theagile,integratedmultidomainapproachiswhatIconsidertobe21stcenturystrategicdeterrence." ~AirForceGen.JohnE.Hyten,Commander,U.S.StrategicCommand "Onething'sforcertain,theNo.1priorityoftheDepartmentofDefenseisthatwemaintainasafe,secureandeffectivenucleardeterrentsowemakecertainthoseweaponsareneverused." ~DefenseSecretaryJamesN.Mattis "NuclearweaponsposetheonlyexistentialthreattotheUnitedStatesandourallies.Thereisnosubstitutefortheprospectofadevastatingnuclearresponsetodeterthatthreat." ~ViceChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffAirForceGen.PaulJ.Selva "BasedonthecurrentcapacityoftheNorthKoreans,thecurrentthreat...andtheamountofmissilesthattheypossess,wecanprotectHawaiitodayagainstanICBM.WecanprotectthecontinentalUnitedStatesagainstanICBM...Whatweneedtobeconcernedaboutisensuringthatourballisticmissiledefensecapabilitykeepspacewiththatthreat." ~ChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffMarineCorpsGen.JoeDunford PreviousNext DeterrenceIntheNews StratcomCommanderTestifiesonSpaceSituationalAwareness AirForceGen.JohnE.Hyten,commanderofU.S.StrategicCommand,testifiesonspacesituationalawarenessatajointHousesubcommitteehearinginWashington,D.C.,June22,2018. StratcomCommanderDeliversJohnGlennLecture AirForceGen.JohnE.HytendiscusseswhatittakestoprotecttheUnitedStatesinspaceattheannualJohnH.GlennLectureinSpaceHistoryattheSmithsonianAirandSpaceMuseuminWashington,June13,2018. ViceChairmanSpeaksatNORAD60thAnniversaryEvent AirForceGen.PaulJ.Selva,vicechairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff,providesremarksattheNorthAmericanAerospaceDefenseCommand's60thanniversaryceremonyatPetersonAirForceBase,Colo.,May12,2018. NATOSecretaryGeneralVisitsStratcomHeadquarters AirForceGen.JohnE.Hyten,commanderofU.S.StrategicCommand,welcomesNATOSecretaryGeneralJensStoltenbergtoStratcom’sheadquartersatOffuttAirForceBase,Neb.,April6,2018. SenateSubcommitteeHearsTestimonyonMissileDefensePolicy,Programs TheundersecretaryofdefenseforpolicyandotherseniordefenseofficialstestifyonballisticmissiledefensepoliciesandprogramsataSenateArmedServicesCommitteestrategicforcessubcommitteehearing,March22,2018. MoreVideos Nonproliferation&NuclearSecurity Identifying&PreventingThreats DEPARTMENTOFSTATE Missionistoshapeandsustainapeaceful,prosperous,just,anddemocraticworldandfosterconditionsforstabilityandprogressforthebenefitoftheAmericanpeopleandpeopleeverywhere. DEPARTMENTOFENERGY MissionistoensureAmerica’ssecurityandprosperitybyaddressingitsenergy,environmentalandnuclearchallengesthroughtransformativescienceandtechnologysolutions. Blogs BLOG CooperativeThreatReductionProgram—YouwanttodoWHATfortheSovietUnion? ReadMore> BLOG TechnologyHelpsMilitaryPrepareforChemical,RadiologicalThreats ReadMore> Blog TechnologyHelpsMilitaryPrepareforChemical&RadiologicalThreats ReadMore> Blog CooperativeThreatReductionProgram—YouwanttodoWHATfortheSovietUnion? ReadMore> FacesofDeterrence U.S.servicemembersandcivilianpersonnelworkdailytodeteranypotentialenemywhoconsiderslaunchingafirststrikeagainsttheUnitedStatesorourallies. StratofortressFlight - AirForceCapt.JonathanGabrielfliesaB-52HStratofortressduringatrainingmissionoverNorthDakota,Jan.31,2017.Gabrielisanaircraftcommanderassignedtothe23rdBombSquadron,whichstandsreadytodeployandflyitsB-52Hstoenforcenationalsecuritypolicybydeliveringoverwhelmingnuclearorconventionalfirepowertodestroytargets,worldwide,atanytime.AirForcephotobySeniorAirmanJ.T.Armstrong SecuritySweep - AirForceSeniorAirmanChristainBeauchamp,aresponseforceleaderwiththe791stMissileSecurityForcesSquadron,performsasecuritysweepofalandingzonenearMinotAirForceBase,N.D.,Jan.25,2017.Thesquadronensuressecurityforcesaretrained,organizedandequippedtosecurethe150MinutemanIIImissilesandlaunchfacilitiesandthe15missilealertfacilitiesthroughoutthe8,500squaremilesofthemissilecomplexsurroundingMinot.AirForcephotobyTech.Sgt.BrandonShapiro SandiaResearch - ResearcherRachelTrojahnpreparesaglobalburstdetectorsubsystemforatestintheflighttestchamberatSandiaNationalLaboratoriesinAlbuquerque,N.M.,Aug.4,2016.TheGlobalBurstDetectionsystem,whichwaslaunchedaboardthe70thGlobalPositioningSystemsatellite,looksfornucleardetonationsaroundtheworld,offeringreal-timeinformationaboutpotentialactivitytoU.S.policymakers.PhotobyRandyMontoya PatriotTraining - ArmyPfc.TylerAnkeletightensaboltduringPatriotmissilesystemreloadtrainingatKunsanAirBase,SouthKorea,July27,2017.AnkeleisaPatriotmissileoperatorandmaintainerassignedtoBatteryA,2ndBattalion,1stAirDefenseArtilleryRegiment.AirForcephotobySeniorAirmanMichaelHunsaker HarnessCheck - AirForceSeniorAirmanShaquilleStephens,amaintenancetechnicianassignedtothe341stMissileMaintenanceSquadron,checksharnessesatMalmstromAirForceBase,Mont.,Jan.17,2017.MaintenancepersonnelservicingMalmstrom’s150intercontinentalballisticmissilesusetheharnessesinthemissilefieldforprotectionandtoolstorage.AirForcephotobyAirman1stClassDanielBrosam KeyTurns - AirForce1stLt.PamelaBlanco-Coca,amissilecombatcrewcommanderassignedtothe319thMissileSquadron,andherdeputycommander,2ndLt.JohnAnderson,simulatekeyturnsoftheMinutemanIIIintercontinentalballisticmissileweaponsysteminamissilecomplexlaunchcontrolcenteratF.E.WarrenAirForceBase,Wyo.,Feb.9,2016.Aproperlyconductedkeyturnsendsa"launchvote"toanyofanumberofMinutemanIIIICBMsinamissileer'sflightarea.Twolaunchvotesfromtwoseparatelaunchcontrolcenterswillenableareal-worldlaunchwhendirectedbythepresident.AirForcephotobySeniorAirmanJasonWiese EastTimorTraining - MarineCorpsLanceCpl.MarioWhitmanpreparesforabattledrillbeforeanexerciseinEastTimor,July29,2017.WhitmanisassignedtoFleetAnti-TerrorismSecurityTeamPacific,aspecializedunitthatprovidesaquick-reactionforcetoprotectU.S.assetsrangingfromembassiestonuclearweaponsandsubmarinesacrosstheU.S.7thFleetareaofoperations.NavyphotobyPettyOfficer1stClassMartinWright ReturningFromPatrol - NavyCmdr.MichaelDaigle,commandingofficeroftheBluecrewoftheUSSLouisiana,looksonastheballisticmissilesubmarinereturnstoNavalBaseKitsap-Bangor,Wash.,Dec.18,2014,followingastrategicdeterrentpatrol.NavyphotobyChiefPettyOfficerAhronArendes PreflightChecks - AirForceAirman1stClassAlannaWebb,a509thAircraftMaintenanceSquadroncrewchief,conductspreflightchecksonaB-2SpiritbeforeatrainingflightatAndersenAirForceBase,Guam,Jan.12,2017.AirForcephotobyTech.Sgt.AndyM.Kin REFERENCES REPORTS TRANSCRIPTS NorthKorea-MilitaryandSecurityDevelopments–2017 OSD2017ReporttoCongressonChina DIA2017ReportonRussia DNI2017StatementtoSenateonWorldwideThreats DIBMAC/NASIC2017ReportonBallistic,CruiseMissileThreat FederalOfficialsDiscussFutureofNuclearEnterpriseatConference ~Sept.28,2017 RemarksbySecretaryMattisatNavalBaseKitsap,Washington ~Aug.9,2017 TranscriptofViceChairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaffGen.PaulSelvaatCapitolHillClub ~Aug3,2017 HouseArmedServicesStrategicForcesSubcommitteeHearingonMissileDefeatPrograms ~June7,2017 SenateArmedServicesStrategicForcesSubcommitteeHearingonDefenseDepartmentNuclearAcquisitionProgramsandtheNuclearDoctrine ~June7,2017 HouseArmedServicesStrategicForcesSubcommitteeHearingonNuclearForcesandAtomicEnergyDefenseActivities ~May25,2017 HouseArmedServicesCommitteeHearingonMilitaryAssessmentofNuclearDeterrenceRequirements ~March8,2017 Readiness DefensePersonnelTestTerminalHighAltitudeAreaDefenseSystem WATCH MissileDefenseAgencyInterceptsICBMTarget WATCH DARPATestsRadiationDetectorsinNation’sCapital READ GloryTrip220:AnAircrew’sPerspective READ Partners DepartmentofState DepartmentofEnergy MissileDefenseAgency NationalNuclearSecurityAdministration DefenseThreatReductionAgency