W88The W88 is an American thermonuclear warhead, with an estimated yield of 475 kilotons of TNT (1,990 terajoules), and is small enough to fit on missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). The W88 was designed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1970s and first placed into service in 1989. The director of Los Alamos who had presided over its development described it as "the most advanced U.S. nuclear warhead".
Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos National Laboratory (often shortened as Los Alamos and LANL) is one of the sixteen research and development laboratories of the United States Department of Energy (DOE), located a short distance northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the American southwest. Best known for its central role in helping develop the first atomic bomb, LANL is one of the world's largest and most advanced scientific institutions.
National Nuclear Security AdministrationThe National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is a United States federal agency responsible for safeguarding national security through the military application of nuclear science.
UGM-133 Trident IIThe UGM-133A Trident II, or Trident D5 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), built by Lockheed Martin Space in Sunnyvale, California, and deployed with the United States Navy and Royal Navy. It was first deployed in March 1990, and remains in service.
Submarine-launched ballistic missileA submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a ballistic missile capable of being launched from submarines. SLBMs almost exclusively carry one or multiplenuclearwarheads, and play an important role in nuclear strategy as a highly reliable and non-vulnerable second strike option. Nuclear-armed SLBMs are operated by China (JL-3), France (M51), India (Sagarika), Russia (Sineva, Lajner, and Bulava), the United Kingdom and the United States (both Trident II).
UGM-96 Trident IThe UGM-96 Trident I, or Trident C4, was an American submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, California. First deployed in 1979, the Trident I replaced the Poseidon missile. The Trident was intended to have longer range than the Poseidon, allowing the fleet to maintain a longer distance from the target, enhancing survivability. It was retired in 2005, having been replaced by the Trident II.
Nuclear Posture ReviewThe Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) of the United States is a process "to determine what the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. security strategy should be." NPRs are the primary document for determining U.S. strategy for nuclear weapons and it outlines an overview of U.S. nuclear capabilities, changes to current stockpiles and capabilities, plans for deterrence, and plans for arms control policy with other nations.
Thermonuclear weaponMulti-stage fusion-fission nuclear weaponDiagram of the US W88 warhead, a standard thermonuclear design.
TNTTrinitrotoluene ( TRY-ny-troh-TOL-yoo-een, try-NY-), more commonly known as TNT (and more specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, and by its preferred IUPAC name 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene), is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. TNT is occasionally used as a reagent in chemical synthesis, but it is best known as an explosive material with convenient handling properties.
Federation of American ScientistsThe Federation of American Scientists (FAS) is an American nonprofit policy think tank with the stated intent of using science and scientific analysis to make the world more secure. FAS was founded in 1945 by a group of scientists, some of whom had previously contributed to the development of nuclear weapons in the Manhattan Project.
Rocky Flats PlantThe Rocky Flats Plant was a United States manufacturing complex that produced nuclear weapons parts near Denver, Colorado. The facility's primary mission was the fabrication of plutonium pits, the fissionable part of a bomb that produces a nuclear explosion. The pits were shipped to other facilities to be assembled into complete nuclear weapons.
PantexPantex is the primary United States nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility that aims to maintain the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. The facility is named for its location in the Panhandle of Texas on a 16,000-acre (25 sq mi; 65 km2) site 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Amarillo, in Carson County, Texas.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.