Panel Promotes Consolidation of the Nuclear Weapons Complex
The task force asserts that the current nuclear complex does not have the necessary capacity for new weapons. It found the current complex to be divided, resulting in a lack of a unified plan and redundancies in both facilities and research. The report states that the current policy of extending the life of aging weapons will eventually result in lower quality weapons and ever-increasing maintenance costs. It also found unnecessary security risks in the large number of storage sites for nuclear materials and the close proximity of many laboratories to civilian populations.
The report envisions transitioning to a more efficient consolidated nuclear complex, which would produce an ever-evolving nuclear stockpile. The report states, "the Complex will be designed to respond to any needed design change in less than 18 months, field a prototype [weapon] in less than 36 months, and go into full production in less than 48 months, and perform an underground test at the [Nevada Test Site] within 18 months. By 2030 the Complex will be in equilibrium, producing and dismantling at a rate of 125 devices per year." The task force envisions aggressive dismantlement to accompany and balance production, resulting in a net decrease in the number of nuclear weapons.
In order to achieve these goals, the task force recommends a new version of the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program now before Congress. The RRW program is intended to extend the life of the current nuclear stockpile. However, the task force suggests changing the mission of this program from refurbishment to the creation of a new family of nuclear weapons. The report states, "The Task Force recommends that a new version of the RRW, incorporating new design concepts and [safety and security] features, be initiated on planned five year cycles."
In order to efficiently design, build and dismantle this evolving family of nuclear weapons, the report proposes the construction of a Consolidated Nuclear Production Center. The center would be the core of the new nuclear complex. All production, manufacturing, assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons would take place at the Center. Most nuclear materials would also be stored at the Center.
Consolidating everything to one facility is intended to increase complex efficiency, and reduce security, transportation and operating costs, while limiting the facilities and communities nearby that could be the targets of terrorist attacks. The report asserts that while costs will increase in the short term, increased efficiency and decreased security needs will cause them to decrease in the long run.
The spending bill for the DOE prohibits the use of any money to institute the reports recommendations. New Mexico Senator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Pete Domenici said, "We should not rush into any quick fixes."
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