Vipin Narang, DoD's top nuclear policy official, explained that while current modernization plans — estimated by the Government Accountability Office last October to cost at least $350 billion over the next two decades — are "necessary," they "may well be insufficient" to meet current and future threats.
Pentagon acquisition of space systems needs to be "faster and leaner," stressed Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who is expected to chair the House strategic forces subcommittee next year.
Consolidate network monitoring, performance management, and fault isolation into a single, comprehensive solution.
"If we want deterrence to be effective, it takes three things: 1. Capabilities 2. Credible threats in the mind of the adversary and 3. The will to communicate the first two," Chris Stone, Mitchell Institute fellow, told Breaking Defense.
The two reviews were largely welcomed by more hawkish commentators and criticized by supporters of more robust approaches to nuclear arms control — with the latter lamenting that Biden has walked away from campaign promises to reduce US reliance on nuclear weapons.
Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, who is nominated to lead US Strategic Command, said he wants to evaluate whether SLCM-N is the right fit to meet an existing nuclear capability gap.
"No one can tell in an uncertain world what we will need, but it's important to keep this option available," said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
“It's all about providing the president options against a broad series of contingencies. And in this respect, I am in favor of continuing to assess and evaluate the SLCM-N," the Pentagon's No. 2 general said.
"My general view is that this president or any president deserve to have multiple options to deal with national security situations," Milley said. "And my advice is listened to. And I have an opportunity to express my voice on a continuous basis many, many times.”
After conducting the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review, the Biden administration has chosen to end the sea-launched cruise missile program, a senior Pentagon official said.
"We've entered into the next big phase, what we call 'CDR season,'" Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Strategic Deterrent Systems division, told Breaking Defense.
The initial command and control gateway to earn a continuous Authority to Operate is changing multi-domain operations.
"There's no free money, right, so it has to come from somewhere," said Lt. Gen. Clinton Hinote, deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements.
"Biden is sending a clear message: he will take on nuclear issues only as long as they do not undermine his top legislative priorities," write Tom Collina and Doreen Horschig.
"I would like to have overhead sensors that see everything, characterize everything that goes on on this planet from a missile perspective, all the time everywhere. ... That's unobtainium right now," says VCJCS Gen. John Hyten.
"New START was flawed from the beginning," National Security Adviser John Bolton said Tuesday. "It is due to expire in February 2021 and while no decision has been made, it is unlikely to be extended. We need to focus on something better. And we will."