Do we need new and improved nuclear warheads to replace existing warheads costing the taxpayers billions?

Question

U.S. Selects Design for New Nuclear Warhead
By H. JOSEF HEBERT
AP
WASHINGTON (March 1) - The Bush administration took a major step Friday toward building a new generation of nuclear warheads, selecting a design that is being touted as safer, more secure and more easily maintained than today's arsenal.

The Bush administration has selected a design for new atomic warheads, taking a step toward building the first new nuclear weapon since the end of the Cold War.


A team of scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will proceed with the weapons design with an anticipation that the first warheads may be ready by 2012 as a replacement for Trident missiles on submarines.

The new weapons program, which has received cautious support from Congress , was immediately criticized by some nuclear nonproliferation groups as a signal that the government wants to expand nuclear weapons production - not move toward eliminating the stockpile.

Critics also maintain that it sends the wrong signal around the world by pushing a new warhead - although characterized as a replacement for existing ones - at a time the United States is trying to curtail nuclear weapons development in North Korea and Iran .

Answer 1

so where are they going to dump all the old nuclear warheads?
iran?

yes, better be iran, they really want it now.

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Answer 2

Do you think some excellent reporter discovered this story?

These types of stories are half the reason these things happen at all. This is just another reminder to our enemies, present and future, that we are fully capable of erasing them from the face of the planet.

This all could have been done on the sly, as most weapons upgrades happen. This received coverage because it was released, on purpose!

BTW, I sure hope that our weapons are as accurate and dependable as possible. Both to reduce unnecessary casualties and have the most strategic affect, but also to do their top job, deterrence.

If we don't talk about them they aren't a very good deterrence. Ever seem those billboards promising fines and jail time for drunk driving? Same line of thought with announcements like these.

Answer 3

Do as I say, not as I do seems to be the policy of the Bush administration. You can only destroy all life on earth so many times, then it gets redundant. The new missile plan is probably just another way for Bush and Cheney to steal tax dollars from the American people. God knows more nukes aren't what is needed in the country or the world.

Answer 4

what are u loopy? the government is crammed with great careful beyoches. you will get your *** blown up for even asking a question like that!! u.s. secretly interior the government is somewhat a dictatorship. even however we are saying what we would like, the reality of the undertaking is, even however we've a judicial equipment, the secret government companies hide **** from the voters of the US. we could face it, the army runs issues around here. Thats cuz each and every thing is protection tension based. There like adult men in Black yet their ***-holes cuz they do stuff a criminal offense. They kill or arrest human beings for commencing off their mouths and telling secrets and strategies approximately missions they have been on.for sure they could be doing something unlawful, and that they war to pretend as though the US inhabitants would not comprehend a component. yet all of us comprehend extra then they think of. Ask all of us linked with the secret government in any way and that they'll inform you that whats up have been blind folded, or they don't seem to be allowed to tell you something they comprehend. Ask alot of our squaddies what they observed in Iraq. they'll tell u an stunning style of information.

Answer 5

While the existing warheads are safe, they are very expensive to maintain. Lots of money is spent each year solely in maintenance and testing costs. New designs are likely to reduce these expenses. While this yearly cost proabably doesn't solely justify replacement it should be considered.

Answer 6

I doubt it, but I'm sure the companies that make the warheads really, really need the extra profits. That's what are money is for isn't it?

Answer 7

What threat do we deter by updating our nukes? Our most important priority should be to increase stability in the world. I don't think new fancy weapons further this goal.

Answer 8

If the U.S. wants to upgrade their nuclear weapons arsenal, why don't they allow other countries to use nuclear power for commercial and residential power use? Please don't say because they are rogue countries and might use it to destroy other countries. Who's the last country on earth to invade another country.

Answer 9

only if we can tie bush and his buddys to it and blow them to kindom come

Answer 10

yes we need them now more than ever.