Tuesday, May 24, 2022
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Pentagon confirms ‘low-yield’ nuclear weapon on submarine

by Agence France-Presse
February 4, 2020
in Nuclear Weapons News
2 min read
0
Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 31, 2019) The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) conducts Bravo sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of HII by Ashley Cowan/Released)

20
SHARES
14
VIEWS

The US Defense Department announced Tuesday that it has deployed a submarine carrying a new long-range missile with a relatively small nuclear warhead, saying it is in response to Russian tests of similar weapons.
The deployment of the W76-2 low-yield warhead is “to address the conclusion that potential adversaries, like Russia, believe that employment of low-yield nuclear weapons will give them an advantage over the United States and its allies and partners,” Under Secretary of Defense John Rood said in a statement.

The warheads have sparked concern that they would be more likely to be used because they cause less damage, thereby lowering the threshold of nuclear conflict.

The W76-2 has an estimated explosive yield of five kilotons, compared to the 455-kiloton and 90-kiloton yields of nuclear warheads already deployed on US submarines, according to William Arkin and Hans Kristensen, writing on the Federation of American Scientists website.

They said the new small warheads have been deployed on the USS Tennessee submarine, patrolling in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Pentagon indicated that it would deploy a small nuclear weapon in its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.

The new weapons “strengthens deterrence and provides the United States a prompt, more survivable low-yield strategic weapon,” Rood said.

It also “demonstrates to potential adversaries that there is no advantage to limited nuclear employment because the United States can credibly and decisively respond to any threat scenario.”

But critics say that, after decades in which the sheer size of nuclear weapons had been seen as a deterrence to their use, a small nuclear warhead could increase that possibility.

“While some argue that this warhead is a response to Russia’s so-called ‘escalate to de-escalate’ strategy that will strengthen deterrence and raise the nuclear threshold, others contend that it will lower the threshold for US use and increase the risk of nuclear war,” the Congressional Research service said in a report last month.

Tags: nuclear weaponspentagonsubmarinesUS navy
Previous Post

China Postpones Work on Aircraft Carrier, Fighter Jets due to Virus Outbreak

Next Post

US tests pilotless combat jets controlled from another aircraft

Related Posts

North Korea

North Korea ‘ready for nuclear test’ with Biden due in Seoul

May 19, 2022

North Korea is poised to conduct a nuclear test, Seoul and Washington said Thursday, with the United States warning it...

North Korea pursues weapons despite Covid blockade: UN report

At military parade, Kim vows to boost North Korea’s nuclear arsenal

April 26, 2022

North Korea will rapidly accelerate development of its nuclear arsenal, leader Kim Jong Un said while overseeing a vast military...

Next Post
US tests pilotless combat jets controlled from another aircraft

US tests pilotless combat jets controlled from another aircraft

Latest Defense News

EU warns Belarus opening door to Russian nukes after vote

New military bases in western Russia in response to NATO expansion: minister

May 20, 2022
NATO warns Russia readying for ‘full-scale attack’ on Ukraine

Signs multiply Russia seeks control of south Ukraine

May 20, 2022
Biden to announce anti-gun violence measures

Biden begins Asia trip in South Korea, under North nuclear shadow

May 20, 2022
Russian Army Receives More Iskander-M Tactical Ballistic Missile System

Belarus buys S-400, Iskander missiles from Russia: Lukashenko

May 20, 2022
Turkey seeks alternatives to Russian energy after warplane crisis

Erdogan urges NATO allies to ‘respect’ concerns over Finland, Sweden

May 19, 2022
North Korea

North Korea ‘ready for nuclear test’ with Biden due in Seoul

May 19, 2022

Defense Forum Discussions

  • NZDF General discussion thread
  • Russia and the West
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Japan, Koreas, China and Taiwan regional issues
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Defence of Taiwan
  • US Army News and updates general discussion
  • The best strategy to defending Singapore Island
  • ADF General discussion thread
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com