A roadmap for rebuilding the U.S. nuclear arsenal

Key Chapter Title List

1. Key Points
2. National-Level Guidance
3. Strengthening the Strategic Triad
4. Enhancing Non-Strategic Forces
5. Revitalizing the Nuclear Enterprise and Defense Industrial Base
6. Funding Nuclear Deterrence

Document Introduction

This report, released by The Heritage Foundation, argues that the United States' existing Cold War-era nuclear deterrent force is facing an aging crisis, while the nuclear threats from its primary adversaries continue to grow. The report warns that the newest U.S. nuclear weapons are over 35 years old. The original service life of the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) has long expired and cannot be further extended, and its replacement, the Sentinel missile program, is over budget and delayed. The ballistic missile submarine fleet is nearing the end of its service life, and the B-21 Raider bomber program has also been delayed. Meanwhile, the nuclear modernization plan initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2010 has entered its 15th year without yet producing and deploying the first fully assembled and equipped nuclear warhead. Against this backdrop, the report emphasizes that the United States must take immediate action to build and deploy a credible nuclear deterrent force within the next four years.

The report provides a detailed action roadmap for the next administration (specifically referring to the Trump administration in the text) aimed at comprehensively rebuilding the U.S. nuclear arsenal. This roadmap categorizes action recommendations into five major areas and sets specific timelines.

First, at the level of national strategic guidance, the report recommends that the President should issue an executive order on rebuilding the nuclear arsenal, deliver a national address on the importance of the nuclear arsenal, release a new Nuclear Posture Review, and develop a deterrence strategy targeting the two primary nuclear adversaries (the two major powers). Second, regarding strengthening the land, sea, and air strategic triad, specific measures include reactivating submarine-launched missile tubes closed due to the New START Treaty, adding additional warheads to Minuteman III missiles, doubling the production rate of the B-21 bomber, preparing to expand the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine fleet, placing B-21 bombers on runway alert status, and enhancing the nuclear test readiness status of the Nevada National Security Site.

Third, in terms of enhancing non-strategic (tactical) nuclear forces, recommendations include studying the feasibility of adding nuclear warheads to existing theater cruise missiles, discussing with key allies the expansion of their role in nuclear missions, researching other long-range non-strategic nuclear weapon delivery capabilities besides the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear (SLCM-N), developing long-range standoff nuclear munitions for the F-35 fighter jet, and certifying a globally deployable, nuclear-capable F-35 squadron. Fourth, the report focuses on revitalizing the nuclear enterprise and defense industrial base, proposing to relax environmental and occupational safety restrictions at facilities under the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), directing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to accelerate the nuclear modernization timeline, cooperating with allies to ensure the supply of weapons-grade special isotopes, and accelerating the production and deployment of the D5 LE2 Trident missile.

Finally, the report clarifies the funding plan, recommending an additional $10 billion annual appropriation for the nuclear enterprise over the next ten years, starting with the FY2026 defense budget. The report bases its analysis and recommendations on official documents from the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Government Accountability Office (GAO), and research data from professional journals such as the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The entire report conveys a sense of urgency, asserting that a credible nuclear arsenal is the ultimate guarantee of U.S. security and sovereignty. In the face of current threats, decisive measures must be taken to ensure its deterrent effectiveness remains robust for decades to come.