US completes W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead First Production Unit

US completes W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead First Production Unit
An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) off the coast of California (Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)
The US Department of Energyโ€™s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) completed the First Production Unit (FPU) of the W76-2 warhead Feb. 22 at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The W76-2 is a modification of the W76-1 warhead to provide a low-yield, sea-launched ballistic missile warhead capability.
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The W76-2 FPU represents NNSAโ€™s ability to achieve a significant program milestone in support of a national security initiative requested by the President in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.

โ€œNNSA is fully committed to meeting the requirements of our partners at the Department of Defense. The W76-2 will allow for tailored deterrence in the face of evolving threats.โ€

Dr. Charles P. Verdon, NNSAโ€™s Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs

The W76-2 program is a modification of the W76-1 warhead to provide a low-yield, sea-launched ballistic missile warhead capability. NNSA is on track to complete the W76-2 Initial Operational Capability warhead quantity and deliver the units to the U.S Navy by the end of Fiscal Year 2019.

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