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 Energy’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.
Share

The W76-2 FPU represents NNSA’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.

“NNSA 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.”

Dr. Charles P. Verdon, NNSA’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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement