A roadmap for rebuilding the U.S. nuclear arsenal

Key Chapter Title List

1. Key Takeaways
2. National-Level Guidance
3. Strengthening the Strategic Triad
4. Strengthening Non-Strategic Forces
5. Revitalizing the Nuclear Enterprise and Defense Industrial Base
6. Funding Nuclear Deterrence

Document Introduction

This report, published by The Heritage Foundation, centers on the argument that the United States' existing Cold War-era nuclear deterrent force is facing an aging crisis, while the nuclear threats from major adversaries continue to grow. The report warns that the newest U.S. nuclear weapons are over 35 years old, the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) has long exceeded its original service life and cannot be further extended, and its replacement, the Sentinel missile program, is over budget and delayed. The ballistic missile submarine fleet is nearing the end of its service life, and the B-21 Raider bomber program is also delayed. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy's nuclear modernization plan, initiated in 2010, is in its 15th year yet has not produced and deployed the first fully assembled and equipped nuclear warhead. Against this backdrop, the report emphasizes that the United States must take immediate action to build and deploy a credible nuclear deterrent force within the next four years.

The report provides a detailed action roadmap for the next administration (specifically referred to as the "Trump administration" in the text), aimed at comprehensively rebuilding the U.S. nuclear arsenal. This roadmap divides action recommendations into five major categories and sets specific timelines.

First, at the national strategic guidance level, the report recommends that the President should issue an executive order on rebuilding the nuclear arsenal, deliver a national address on the importance of the nuclear arsenal, release a new Nuclear Posture Review, and develop a deterrence strategy targeting the two main nuclear adversaries (the two major powers). Second, in terms of strengthening the land, sea, and air "strategic triad" forces, specific measures include reactivating submarine-launched missile tubes closed due to the New START Treaty, adding additional warheads to Minuteman III missiles, doubling the production rate of B-21 bombers, preparing to expand the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine fleet, placing B-21s on "runway alert" status, and enhancing the nuclear test readiness at the Nevada National Security Site.

Third, regarding strengthening non-strategic (tactical) nuclear forces, recommendations include studying the feasibility of adding nuclear warheads to existing theater cruise missiles, discussing with key allies the expansion of their role in nuclear missions, researching other long-range non-strategic nuclear weapons delivery capabilities besides the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear (SLCM-N), developing long-range standoff nuclear munitions for the F-35 fighter jet, and certifying a globally deployable, nuclear-capable F-35 squadron. Then, the report focuses on revitalizing the nuclear enterprise and defense industrial base, proposing to relax environmental and occupational safety restrictions at facilities under the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), directing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to accelerate the nuclear modernization timeline, cooperating with allies to ensure the supply of weapons-grade special isotopes, and accelerating the production and deployment of the D5 LE2 Trident missile.

Finally, the report clarifies the funding guarantee plan, recommending an additional $10 billion annual appropriation for the nuclear enterprise over the next decade, starting with the FY2026 defense budget. The report bases its analysis and recommendations on official documents from the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Government Accountability Office (GAO), and research data from professional journals such as the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The entire report reflects a sense of urgency, positing that a credible nuclear arsenal is the ultimate guarantee of U.S. security and sovereignty, and that decisive measures must be taken in the face of current threats to ensure its deterrent effectiveness remains potent for decades to come.