Posted
11/20/2004 03:51:00 PM
by Douglas
Why is it that it's 2004 and we're still developing and building new
nuclear weapon systems? Did the 30,000 or so warheads we've had for the past 40 years come with an expiration date?
The last fully modernized W87 nuclear warhead has rolled off the Pantex Plant assembly line.
BWXT Pantex and the National Nuclear Administration announced Friday that Pantex has completed the Life Extension Program for the W87 warhead, a weapon carried on the Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
The W87 is the first of four planned Life Extension Programs to extend the life of nuclear warheads in the U.S. arsenal. The W80 warhead, designed to be carried on a cruise missile launched from an attack sub or a bomber, is expected to begin production in 2006.
The B61 bomb, carried on the B-52 or B-2 bomber, also is expected to start production in 2006.
The W76 warhead, carried on the Trident II missile, is slated to begin production in 2007, according to congressional reports.
Who the hell are the intended recipients of these "fully modernized" weapons? Until 1991, every nuke we made had "To Russia, with love" on the side of it, but since Russians are now given guided
tours of PanTex now, I just can't imagine who these things are pointed at.