Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 3 Marts 2007 / Time Line March 3, 2007
Version 3.503/03/2007
NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense
Reliable Replacement Warhead Design Decision Announced
The Department of Defense supports today's announcement by the
Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration
that it will proceed with the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW)
program.
The decision is the culmination of an eighteen month study by the
Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC), a group that oversees the safety,
security, reliability, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear
weapons stockpile.
The NWC is chaired by Kenneth Krieg, under secretary of defense for
acquisition, technology, and logistics. The NWC members are the
under secretary of energy for nuclear security and administrator of
the NNSA, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the under
secretary of defense for policy, and the commander of the U.S.
Strategic Command.
"This program will improve the safety of the stockpile through new
design and manufacturing techniques, and it will enhance security
with state-of-the-art technology," said Krieg. "Additionally, the
RRW program will enable a more responsive nuclear infrastructure
and, ultimately, a reduced stockpile size."
The NWC approved a NNSA/Navy project proposal which is is largely
based on a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory design. As part
of the core program, several features of the Los Alamos Nuclear
Laboratory design will continue to be developed and incorporated as
appropriate. Expertise from both laboratories will be used to
maximize the success of the program. The initial task will be to
clearly define the baseline configuration and project scope, cost
and schedule.
"The RRW program is the right thing to do for the nation," Krieg
said. "RRW is critical for sustaining long-term confidence in our
nuclear deterrent."
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