Advisory Panel Says Warhead Life-Extension Could Suffice for Decades

A top-level independent advisory panel has told the Obama administration that the aging U.S. nuclear arsenal could remain viable for years to come using standard warhead life-extension approaches (see GSN, Nov. 9). If embraced by Washington, the finding would suggest that the United States could avoid building an expensive new generation of nuclear warheads to replace those currently fielded. The JASON validation of life-extension approaches "means that the current nuclear arsenal -- which is safe, reliable and effective -- can be maintained without resorting to untested new designs," said Stephen Young, a senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Security Program. "There is no need to develop a new warhead to sustain our existing arsenal. This report should end the debate on this question."  Read about other Ploughshares Fund expert analyses of JASON here.