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Low-Yield Nuclear CMs for Subs |
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Bob
Rickover Joined: 06 Jan 2016 Status: Offline Points: 904 |
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Posted: 04 Apr 2019 at 10:26am |
Pentagon Developing Low-Yield Nuclear Cruise Missiles For Submarines By: Ben Werner April 3, 2019 6:07 PM, USNI
The Pentagon is in the early stages of developing low-yield submarine-launched nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, a senior Department of Defense official told lawmakers Wednesday. Both Russia and China are making substantial improvements to their nuclear forces, notably increases to low-yield nuclear weapons, John Rood, the Under Secretary of Defense for policy, said during a Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing. Inside the Pentagon’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget request, Rood said, the military is requesting money for a low-yield modification to an existing warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and submarine-launched cruise missiles. Military leaders and lawmakers have debated the need for creating submarine-launched low-yield ballistic missiles for some time, but the cruise missile plan is newer. “The sub-launched cruise missile is further behind, and we’re just doing an AoA or analysis of alternatives at this stage,” Rood said. Rood brought up the low-yield nuclear missile work when responding to a question from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) about the importance of low-yield tactical nuclear weapons as an effective modern deterrent. Based on Russia’s recent development activities and statements, Rood said there’s a growing concern in the Pentagon and other government agencies the Russian government is developing low-yield nuclear weapons because of a perceived advantage. The Russian thinking, Rood said, is if the U.S. does not have similar weapons, the U.S. will not be able to respond to a Russian low-yield nuclear weapon strike. The Russians are counting on a U.S. desire to not escalate a low-yield nuclear strike by responding with the larger nuclear warheads currently in the U.S. arsenal. However, the Pentagon’s desire to continue the low-yield nuclear weapons plan is already facing resistance on the other side of Capitol Hill in the House Armed Services Committee. A week ago, when Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, made a similar argument about the need for low-yield nuclear weapons, he was met by skeptical lawmakers in a House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee. Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) said she was unconvinced such weapons are needed, and Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the HASC chair, has been a frequent critic of the low-yield weapon plan, often stating the nation’s current nuclear deterrent is more than adequate.
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SaltiDawg
Rickover Joined: 03 Jan 2016 Location: Rockville, MD Status: Offline Points: 2865 |
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So how do we test them? Oh, wait.
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Sewer Pipe Snipe
BBS Supporter Joined: 04 Jan 2016 Location: Albany, GA Status: Offline Points: 5723 |
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Wasn't the shell for the Atomic Cannon they had at Aberdeen Proving Grounds a low yield NUKE? I thought it was made for the european theater. That was over fifty years ago.
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Walt,
Had I done everything right throughout my life, the World wouldn't have noticed. |
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SaltiDawg
Rickover Joined: 03 Jan 2016 Location: Rockville, MD Status: Offline Points: 2865 |
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Heck, there were Nuclear Land Mines. Low yield not the issue, Submarine Launched Low Yield cruise missile is.
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