America's nuclear missiles. Russia and the USA: what is hidden behind the threats to use nuclear weapons. Let's change our view of nuclear weapons
Every year, the systems installed here are becoming more and more like museum exhibits. At the top, new international agreements are being concluded, according to which these wells are being closed one after another. But every day, new US Air Force crews descend into concrete dungeons in anticipation of something that absolutely should not happen...
Another day of service Another watch carries suitcases with secret documentation, fastened with steel cables to their overalls. People will descend into the bunker on 24-hour watch, taking control ballistic missiles, hidden beneath the Montana grasslands. If the fateful order comes, these young Air Force officers will not hesitate to activate their apocalyptic weapons.
Joe Pappalardo
An inconspicuous ranch about fifteen meters off a rough two-lane road southeast of Great Falls, Montana. A primitive one-story building, a chain-link fence, an out-of-the-way garage, and a basketball backboard right above the driveway.
However, if you look more closely, you can notice some funny details - a red and white lattice microwave radio relay tower rises above the buildings, there is a helicopter landing pad on the front lawn, plus another conical UHF antenna sticking out on the lawn like a white fungus. You might think that some kind of university agricultural laboratory or, say, a weather station has settled here - the only thing that confuses us is the red banner on the fence, notifying that anyone who tries to enter the territory without permission will be met with lethal fire.
Inside the building, the security service scrupulously examines everyone entering. The slightest suspicion and guards with M4 carbines and handcuffs will immediately appear in the room. Massive Entrance door moves vertically upward - this way even winter snow drifts will not block it.
After the checkpoint, the interior becomes the same as in a regular barracks. In the center there is something like a wardroom - a TV, sofas with armchairs and several long tables for common meals. Further from the hall there are exits to cabins with bunk beds. The walls are covered with standard official posters about stupid talkers and ubiquitous spies.
Malmstrom Air Force Missile Base controls 15 launchers and 150 silos. Her entire farm spreads over an area of 35,000 km 2 . The bunkers with control panels were buried so deep and scattered so far apart to survive a nuclear attack from the Soviet Union and maintain the possibility of a nuclear retaliatory strike. To disable such a system, the warheads must hit each starting position without missing.
One of the armored doors in the living area leads to a small side room. The dispatcher responsible for safety (Flight Security Controller, FSC) sits here - a non-commissioned officer, commander of the launcher security. The three-meter chest next to him is filled with M4 and M9 carbines. In this arsenal there is another door, which neither the dispatcher nor the guards should enter under any circumstances, unless an emergency situation requires it. Behind this door is an elevator that goes straight six floors underground without stopping.
In a calm voice, FSC communicates over the phone the codes for calling the elevator. The elevator will not rise until all passengers have exited and the front door in the security room is locked. The steel elevator door is opened manually in much the same way as the blinds used in small shops to protect windows and doors at night are rolled up. Behind it is a small booth with metal walls.
It will take us less than a minute to descend 22 m underground, but there, at the bottom of the hole, a completely different world will open up before us. The elevator door is built into the smoothly curving black wall of the round hall. Along the wall, breaking its monotony, there are thick columns of shock absorbers, which should absorb the shock wave if a nuclear warhead explodes somewhere nearby.
Behind the walls of the hall, something rumbled and clanged exactly as the lifting gates of an ancient castle should clang, after which a massive hatch smoothly leaned outward, the metal handle of which was held by 26-year-old Air Force captain Chad Dieterle. Along the perimeter of this shockproof plug, which is a good one and a half meters thick, there are stenciled letters INDIA. Dieterle's 24-hour watch as commander of India's Launch Control Center (LCC) is now halfway through, and the launch site itself was established here at Malmstrom Air Force Base back when the brave Air Force captain's parents went to school.
The mines and the launch control panel, located at a depth of 22 m underground, are guarded around the clock. The “Rocket Monkeys,” as they call themselves, train in a training silo, the same one that houses real rockets. They replace cables leading to gyroscopes and on-board computers. These computers are hidden in bulky boxes that protect the electronics from radiation.
LCC India is connected by cables to fifty other mines scattered within a 10-kilometer radius. Each silo contains one 18-meter Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The Air Force command refuses to disclose the number of warheads on each missile, but it is known that there are no more than three. Each of the heads can destroy all living things within a radius of ten kilometers.
Having received the appropriate order, Dieterle and his assistants can send these weapons to anywhere in the world within half an hour. Hiding in silence underground, he turns an inconspicuous ranch, lost in the vastness of Montana, into one of the most strategically important points on the planet.
Small but effective
The American nuclear arsenal - approximately 2,200 strategic warheads that can be delivered using 94 bombers, 14 submarines and 450 ballistic missiles - remains to this day the basis of all national system security. Barack Obama never tires of declaring his desire for a world completely free of nuclear weapons, but this does not contradict the fact that his administration regarding nuclear policy clearly postulates: “As long as there are stockpiles of nuclear weapons in the world, the United States will maintain its nuclear forces in state of full and effective combat readiness."
Since the end of the Cold War, the total number nuclear warheads in the world has radically decreased. True, now states such as China, Iran or North Korea, are developing their own nuclear programs and constructing their own long-range ballistic missiles. Therefore, despite the high-flown rhetoric and even sincere good intentions, it is not right for America to part with its nuclear weapons, as well as with the planes, submarines and missiles that could deliver them to the target.
The missile component of the American nuclear triad has existed for 50 years, but year after year it is the focus of intense discussions between Moscow and Washington. Last year, the Obama administration signed a new treaty with Russia on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive weapons - START III. As a result, the nuclear arsenals of these two countries must be limited to fewer than 1,550 strategic warheads over a seven-year period. From 450 on combat duty American missiles only 30 will remain. To avoid losing support from hawks and simply skeptical senators, the White House has proposed adding $85 billion to modernize the remaining nuclear forces over the next ten years (this amount must be approved at the next meeting of Congress). “I will vote to ratify this treaty ... because our president clearly intends to ensure that the remaining weapons are truly effective,” says Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander.
Intercontinental ballistic missile silo. These mines hide their terrible nature behind a completely inconspicuous appearance. Some truck driver will pass by on the highway and not even look back. He will never know what is hiding in these 30-meter deep mines nuclear weapon, maintained in a state of continuous combat readiness.
Nuclear missile umbrella
So why strategic rocket troops, symbol of the end cold war, remain at the center of 21st century defense strategy, policy and diplomacy? If we take three types of delivery vehicles (airplanes, submarines and ballistic missiles), then intercontinental ballistic missiles remain the means of the most rapid response to enemy aggression, and indeed the most rapid weapon, allowing for a preventive strike. Submarines are good because they are practically invisible, nuclear bombers are capable of delivering precision pinpoint strikes, but only intercontinental missiles are always ready to deliver an irresistible nuclear strike anywhere on the globe, and can do this in a matter of minutes.
The American nuclear missile umbrella is now deployed over the whole world. “As representatives of the Air Force, we are convinced that America has an obligation to keep any enemy target at gunpoint and at risk, no matter where it is located, no matter how strong the defense covers it, no matter how deeply hidden it is,” he said Lieutenant General Frank Klotz, who just in January left his post as head of Global Strike Command, the structure that controls nuclear bombers and ballistic missiles.
Starting positions strategic missiles represent a major engineering achievement. All of these mines were built in the early 1960s, and since then they have been fully operational 99% of the time. What's even more interesting is that the Pentagon built these launch positions to last just a few decades. When the MinutemanIII missiles are retired, all silos and launchers at Malmstrom AFB will be mothballed and buried for 70 years.
So, the Air Force controls the most powerful weapons in the world, and the equipment to control these weapons was created in the space age, and not at all in the 21st century of information technology. And yet these old launch systems do their job much better than you might think. “To build a system that will stand the test of time and still perform brilliantly,” says Klotz, “is a true triumph of engineering genius. These guys in the 1960s thought everything through, generously building in several layers of redundant reliability.”
Thousands of dedicated officers at three Air Force bases - Malmstrom Air Force Base, F.E. Warren in Wyoming and Mino in North Dakota spare no effort to ensure that silo launchers are in constant combat readiness.
The Minuteman III model was stationed in mines in the 1970s and its retirement date was set for 2020, but last year the Obama administration extended the life of the series by another decade. In response to this demand, the Air Force leadership drew up a schedule for the reorganization of existing missile bases. A significant portion of the billions of dollars that were recently promised by the White House should go towards this.
Norm is perfection
Let's return to the India Launch Control Center, hidden under an inconspicuous ranch house. Not much has changed inside since the Kennedy administration. Of course, paper teletype printers have given way to digital screens, and servers installed above provide the underground team with Internet access and even live television broadcasting when the situation is calm. However, the electronics here - huge blocks inserted into wide metal racks and studded with many glowing bulbs and illuminated buttons - are reminiscent of the scenery from the first versions of the Star Trek television series. Some things really just beg to be found in an antique shop. With an embarrassed smile, Dieterle pulls out of the console a nine-inch floppy disk, part of the ancient but still functional Strategic Automatic Command and Control System.
Thousands of officers at US Air Force bases keep the silo launchers operational. Since 2000, the Pentagon has spent more than $7 billion on modernizing this type of military. All the work was aimed at ensuring that the Minuteman III model would safely reach its retirement date, which was set for 2020, but last year the Obama administration extended the service life of this series for another ten years.
The missiles themselves and the equipment installed at ground level can still be somehow modernized, but with underground mines and the launch centers themselves, everything is much more complicated. But time does not spare them. It is very difficult to fight corrosion. Any ground movement can break underground communication lines.
The India Launch Control Center is one of 15 centers manned by missile crews at Malmstrom Air Force Base. “Take a regular house that's been around for 40 years,” says Col. Jeff Frankhauser, base maintenance team commander, “and bury it underground. And then think about how you will repair everything there. This is the same situation with us.”
This missile base includes 150 nuclear ballistic missiles scattered at launch sites over 35,000 km2 of mountains, hills and plains in Montana. Due to the large distance between the mines, the USSR could not in one massive missile strike disable all starting positions and command posts, which guaranteed America the possibility of a retaliatory strike.
This elegant doctrine of mutual deterrence implied the mandatory existence developed infrastructure. In particular, all these mines and command posts are interconnected by hundreds of thousands of kilometers of underground cables. The fist-thick bundles are woven from hundreds of insulated copper wires and encased in sheaths that support high blood pressure. If the air pressure in the pipe drops, the operations team concludes that a crack has formed somewhere in the containment.
The communications system, which extends throughout the surrounding expanse, is a constant source of concern for Malmstrom Base personnel. Every day, hundreds of people - 30 teams at control panels, 135 operating workers and 206 security guards - go to work, maintaining this entire facility in order. Some command posts are a three-hour drive from the base. They are grieved by heroes offended by fate, who are called “Farsiders” at the base. Every day, jeeps, trucks and bulky self-propelled units scurry along the surrounding roads to retrieve missiles from underground, and the total length of roads at this base is 40,000 km, 6,000 of which are dirt roads, enriched with gravel.
The mines were built on small plots purchased from the previous owners. You can wander freely along the fence, but if you go beyond it, the security service can open fire to kill you.
The slogan reigns here: “Our norm is excellence,” and to ensure that no one ever forgets this strict principle, a whole army of inspectors looks after the staff. Any mistake may result in removal from duty until the offender retakes the proficiency test. Such meticulous control applies to all services of the missile base.
The cook will receive a strict punishment from the officer for using expired sauce for the salad or not cleaning the hood above the stove in a timely manner. And it is right - food poisoning can undermine the combat readiness of a launch platoon with the same success as a team of enemy special forces would do. Caution to the point of paranoia is a basic principle for all who serve on this base. “At first glance, it may seem that we are playing it safe,” says Colonel Mohammed Khan (until the very end of 2010, he served at the Malmstrom base as commander of the 341st Missile Battalion), “but look at this matter seriously, here we have real nuclear warheads "
Everyday life in a bunker
To launch a nuclear ballistic missile, just turning the key is not enough. If the India launch center receives the appropriate command, Dieterle and his deputy, Captain Ted Givler, must check the encryption sent from the White House with the one stored in the center's steel safes.
Then each of them will take hold of his triangular switch, fixing his gaze on Digital Watch, ticking between blocks of electronic equipment. In favor this moment they must turn the switches from the "ready" position to the "start" position. At the same moment, two rocket men at another launcher will turn their switches - and only after that the ballistic missile will break free.
Each mine is only suitable for one launch. In the very first seconds, electronic components, ladders, communication cables, safety sensors and sump pumps will burn out or melt. A ring of smoke will rise above the hills of Montana, comically accurately repeating the outline of a mine vent. Relying on a column of reactive gases, the rocket will burst into outer space in a matter of minutes. Another half hour, and the warheads will begin to fall on their assigned targets.
The striking power of the weapons entrusted to these rocket men and the full extent of the responsibility assigned to them are clearly emphasized by the harsh situation in the bunker. In the far corner lies a simple mattress, fenced off with a black curtain so that the light does not shine in the eyes. “It’s not a great pleasure to wake up in this nook,” says Dieterle.
And it’s time for us to return to the world that rocket scientists call “real.” Dieterle pulls the handle of the black shockproof plug until it begins to turn smoothly. He smiles reservedly in parting, and the door slams behind us with a heavy thud. We go up, and there, below, Dieterle and others like him remain, in tense, eternal anticipation.
The era of ballistic missiles began in the middle of the last century. At the end of World War II, the engineers of the Third Reich managed to create carriers that successfully carried out missions to hit targets in Great Britain, starting from the training grounds of continental Europe.
Subsequently, the USSR and the USA became leaders in military rocket science. When the leading world powers acquired ballistic and cruise missiles, this radically changed military doctrines.
The best ballistic missiles in the world - Topol-M
Paradoxically, the best missiles in the world, capable of delivering nuclear warheads within a few minutes to any point on the globe, became the main factor that prevented the Cold War from escalating into a real clash of superpowers.
Today, ICBMs are equipped by the armies of the United States, Russia, France, Great Britain, China, and, more recently, the DPRK.
According to some reports, cruise and ballistic missiles will soon appear in India, Pakistan and Israel. Various modifications of medium-range ballistic missiles, including Soviet-made ones, are in service in many countries around the world. The article talks about the best rockets in the world that have ever been produced in industrial scale.
V-2 (V-2)
The first truly long-range ballistic missile was the German V-2, developed by a design bureau headed by Wernher Von Braun. It was tested back in 1942, and from the beginning of September 1944, London and its environs were attacked daily by dozens of V-2s.
Performance characteristics of the FAU-2 product:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 14x1.65 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 12,5 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 1 | |
| Fuel type | liquid | mixture of liquefied oxygen and ethyl alcohol |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 1450 | |
| 320 | ||
| 5000 | design value within 0.5–1 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 1,0 | |
| Charge type | high explosive, equivalent to ammotol 800 kg | |
| Combat units | 1 | inseparable |
| Type of basing | ground | stationary or mobile launch pad |
During one of the V-2 launches, it was possible to rise 188 km above the earth and make the world's first suborbital flight. The product was produced on an industrial scale in 1944–1945. In total, about 3.5 thousand V-2s were produced during this time.
Scud B (P-17)
The R-17 missile, developed by SKB-385 and adopted by the USSR Armed Forces in 1962, is still considered the standard for assessing effectiveness anti-missile systems, developed in the West. It is an integral part of the 9K72 Elbrus complex or Scud B according to NATO terminology.
It showed excellent performance in real combat conditions during the Yom Kippur War, the Iran-Iraq conflict, and was used in the Second Chechen Company and against the Mujahideen in Afghanistan.
Performance characteristics of the R-17 product:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 11.16x0.88 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 5,86 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 1 | |
| Fuel type | liquid | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 1500 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 300 | with nuclear warhead 180 |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 450 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 0,985 | |
| Charge type | nuclear 10 Kt, high explosive, chemical | |
| Combat units | 1 | not detachable |
| Launch vehicle | mobile | eight-wheel tractor MAZ-543-P |
Various modifications of cruise missiles of Russia and the USSR - R-17 were produced in Votkinsk and Petropavlovsk from 1961 to 1987. As the design service life of 22 years expired, the SCAD complexes were removed from service with the RF Armed Forces.
At the same time, almost 200 launchers are still used by the armies of the UAE, Syria, Belarus, North Korea, Egypt and 6 other countries.
Trident II
The UGM-133A missile was developed for about 13 years by Lockheed Martin Corporation and was adopted by the US Armed Forces in 1990, and a little later by the UK. Its advantages include high speed and accuracy, allowing to destroy even silo-based ICBM launchers, as well as bunkers located deep underground. American Ohio-class submarine cruisers and British Vanguard SSBNs are equipped with “Tridents”.
Performance characteristics of the Trident II ICBM:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 13.42x2.11 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 59,078 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 3 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 6000 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 11300 | 7800 with maximum number of warheads |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 90–500 | minimal with GPS guidance |
| Weight of warhead, t | 2,800 | |
| Charge type | thermonuclear, 475 and 100 Kt | |
| Combat units | from 8 to 14 | multiple warhead |
| Type of basing | underwater |
Tridents hold the record for the most successful launches in a row. Therefore, the reliable missile is expected to be used until 2042. Currently, the US Navy has at least 14 Ohio SSBNs, capable of carrying 24 UGM-133A each.
Pershing II ("Pershing-2")
The last US medium-range ballistic missile, the MGM-31, which entered service with the Armed Forces in 1983, became a worthy opponent to the Russian RSD-10, which the Warsaw Pact countries began deploying in Europe. For its time, the American ballistic missile had excellent characteristics, including high accuracy, provided by the RADAG guidance system.
TTX BR Pershing II:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 10.6x1.02 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 7,49 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 2 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 2400 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 1770 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 30 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 1,8 | |
| Charge type | high explosive, nuclear, from 5 to 80 Kt | |
| Combat units | 1 | inseparable |
| Type of basing | ground |
A total of 384 MGM-31 missiles were produced, which were in service with the US Army until July 1989, when the Russian-American treaty on the reduction of intermediate-range rocket forces came into force. After this, most of the carriers were disposed of, and the nuclear warheads were used to equip aerial bombs.
"Tochka-U"
Developed by the Kolomna Design Bureau and put into service in 1975, the tactical complex with the 9P129 launcher has long been the basis of the firepower of divisions and brigades of the Russian armed forces.
Its advantages are high mobility, allowing the missile to be prepared for launch in 2 minutes, versatility in the use of various types of ammunition, reliability, and ease of operation.
Technical characteristics of the Tochka-U shopping mall:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 6.4x2.32 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 2,01 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 1 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 1100 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 120 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 250 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 0,482 | |
| Charge type | high explosive, fragmentation, cassette, chemical, nuclear | |
| Combat units | 1 | inseparable |
| Type of basing | ground | self-propelled launcher |
Russian Tochki ballistic missiles have performed admirably in several local conflicts. In particular, cruise missiles Russia and the USSR, still made in the Soviet Union, are still used by the Yemeni Houthis, who regularly successfully attack the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.
At the same time, the missiles easily overcome the Saudi air defense systems. Tochka-U is still in service with the armies of Russia, Yemen, Syria and some former Soviet republics.
R-30 "Bulava"
The need to create a new Russian ballistic missile for Navy, superior in characteristics American Trident II, arose with the commissioning of the Borei and Akula class strategic missile submarines. It was decided to place Russian 3M30 ballistic missiles on them, which have been under development since 1998. Since the project is in the finalization stage, about the most powerful rockets Russia can only be judged by the information that gets into the press. Without a doubt, this is the best ballistic missile in the world.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 12.1x2 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 36,8 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 3 | |
| Fuel type | mixed | the first two stages are on solid fuel, the third on liquid |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 6000 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 9300 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 200 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 1,15 | |
| Charge type | thermonuclear | |
| Combat units | from 6 to 10 | shared |
| Type of basing | underwater |
Currently, Russian long-range missiles have been accepted into service conditionally, since some performance characteristics do not completely satisfy the customer. However, about 50 units of 3M30 have already been produced. Unfortunately, the best rocket in the world is waiting in the wings.
"Topol M"
Tests of the missile system, which became the second in the Topol family, were completed in 1994, and three years later, it was put into service with the Strategic Missile Forces. However, he failed to become one of the main components of the Russian nuclear triad. In 2017, the Russian Defense Ministry stopped purchasing the product, opting for the RS-24 Yars.
Modern Russian launch vehicle "Topol-M" at a parade in Moscow Technical characteristics of the RK of strategic purpose "Topol-M":
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 22.55x17.5 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 47,2 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 3 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 7320 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 12000 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 150–200 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 1,2 | |
| Charge type | thermonuclear, 1 Mt | |
| Combat units | 1 | inseparable |
| Type of basing | ground | in mines or on a tractor with a 16x16 base |
TOP is a Russian-made rocket. It is distinguished by its high ability to withstand Western air defense systems, excellent maneuverability, low sensitivity to electromagnetic pulses, radiation, and the effects of laser systems. At the moment, there are 18 mobile and 60 Topol-M mine complexes on combat duty.
Minuteman III (LGM-30G)
For many years, the Boeing Company product has been the only silo-based ICBM in the United States. However, even today the American Minuteman III ballistic missiles, which entered combat duty back in 1970, remain a formidable weapon. Thanks to the modernization, the LGM-30G received more maneuverable Mk21 warheads and an improved propulsion engine.
Performance characteristics of the Minuteman III ICBM:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 18.3x1.67 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 34,5 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 3 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 6700 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 13000 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 210 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 1,15 | |
| Charge type | thermonuclear, from 0.3 to 0.6 Mt | |
| Combat units | 3 | shared |
| Type of basing | ground | in the mines |
Today, the list of American ballistic missiles is limited to Minutements-3. The US Armed Forces have up to 450 units stationed in mine complexes in the states of North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. It is planned to replace reliable but obsolete missiles no earlier than the beginning of the next decade.
"Iskander"
Iskander operational-tactical complexes, which replaced Topol, Tochka and Elbrus ( famous names Russian missiles) are the best new generation missiles in the world. Super-maneuverable cruise missiles tactical complexes practically invulnerable to air defense systems of any potential enemy.
At the same time, the OTRK is extremely mobile and can be deployed in a matter of minutes. His firepower even when fired with conventional charges, its effectiveness is comparable to an attack with nuclear weapons.
TTX OTRK "Iskander":
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 7.2x0.92 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 3,8 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 1 | |
| Fuel type | hard | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 2100 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | 500 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | from 5 to 15 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 0,48 | |
| Charge type | cluster and conventional fragmentation, high-explosive, penetrating munitions, nuclear charges | |
| Combat units | 1 | inseparable |
| Type of basing | ground | self-propelled launcher 8x8 |
Thanks to its technical excellence, the OTRK, which was put into service in 2006, will have no analogues for at least another decade. Currently, the Russian Armed Forces have at least 120 Iskander mobile launchers.
"Tomahawk"
Winged Tomahawk missiles, developed by General Dynamics in the 80s of the last century, were among the best in the world for almost two decades, thanks to their versatility, ability to move rapidly at ultra-low altitudes, significant combat power and impressive accuracy.
They have been used by the US Army since their adoption in 1983 in many military conflicts. But the world's most advanced missiles failed the United States during its controversial strike on Syria in 2017.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 6.25x053 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 1500 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 1 | |
| Fuel type | solid | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 333 | |
| Maximum flight range, km | from 900 to 2500 | depending on the starting method |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | from 5 to 80 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | 120 | |
| Charge type | cassette, armor-piercing, nuclear | |
| Combat units | 1 | not detachable |
| Type of basing | universal | ground mobile, surface, underwater, aviation |
Various modifications of the Tomahawks are equipped with American Ohio- and Virginia-class submarines, destroyers, missile cruisers, as well as the British nuclear submarines Trafalgar, Astute, and Swiftsure.
American ballistic missiles, the list of which is not limited to Tomahawk and Minuteman, are obsolete. BGM-109 is still in production. Production of only the aviation series has been discontinued.
R-36M "Satan"
Modern Russian silo-based ICBM missiles SS-18 various modifications, was and is the basis of Russia’s nuclear triad. These world's best missiles have no analogues: neither in flight range, nor in technological equipment, nor in maximum charge power.
Modern air defense systems cannot effectively counter them. "Satan" has become the embodiment of the most modern ballistic technology. It destroys all types of targets and entire positional areas, ensuring the inevitability of a retaliatory nuclear strike in the event of an attack on the Russian Federation.
TTX ICBM SS-18:
| Name | Meaning | Note |
| Length and diameter, m | 34.3x3 | |
| Take-off weight, t | 208,3 | |
| Number of steps, pcs | 2 | |
| Fuel type | liquid | |
| Acceleration speed, m/s | 7900 | |
| Maximum range missiles, km | 16300 | |
| Maximum deviation from target, m | 500 | |
| Weight of warhead, t | from 5.7 to 7.8 | |
| Charge type | thermonuclear | |
| Combat units | from 1 to 10 | separable, from 500 kt to 25 Mt |
| Type of basing | ground | mine |
Various modifications of the SS-18 have been in service with the Russian army since 1975. In total, 600 missiles of this type have been produced during this time. Currently, all of them are installed on modern Russian launch vehicles for combat duty. Currently, the planned replacement of the R-36M with a modified version, a more modern one, is being carried out Russian missile R-36M2 "Voevoda".
The new US nuclear doctrine, published in April 2010, declares that “ The primary purpose of US nuclear weapons is to deter a nuclear attack on the US, its allies and partners. This purpose will remain so as long as nuclear weapons exist" United States " will consider the use of nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances to protect the vital interests of the United States, its allies and partners».
However, the United States are not prepared today to endorse a universal policy recognizing that deterring a nuclear attack is the sole function of nuclear weapons" With regard to nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states that, in Washington’s assessment, are not fulfilling their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), “ There remains a small set of additional contingencies in which nuclear weapons may still play a role in deterring a conventional or chemical attack. biological weapons against the USA, its allies and partners».
However, it is not disclosed what is meant by the above-mentioned unforeseen circumstances. This should be regarded as a serious uncertainty in US nuclear policy, which cannot but influence the defense policies of other leading states of the world.
To carry out the tasks assigned to nuclear forces, the United States has strategic offensive forces (SNF) and non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNW). According to US State Department data published on May 3, 2010, the United States nuclear arsenal as of September 30, 2009 consisted of 5,113 nuclear warheads. In addition, several thousand obsolete nuclear warheads, removed from stockpiles, were awaiting dismantling or destruction.
1. Strategic offensive forces
The US SNA is a nuclear triad consisting of land, sea and air components. Each component of the triad has its own advantages, therefore, the new US nuclear doctrine recognizes that “preserving all three components of the triad in the best way will ensure strategic stability at an acceptable financial cost and at the same time provide protection in case of problems with technical condition and the vulnerability of existing forces.”
1.1. Ground component
The ground component of the US SNA consists of strategic missile systems equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). ICBM forces have significant advantages over other components of the SNA due to their highly secure control and management system, calculated in several minutes of combat readiness and relatively low costs for combat and operational training. They can be effectively used in pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes to destroy stationary targets, including highly protected ones.
According to expert estimates, at the end of 2010, the ICBM forces had 550 silo launchers at three missile bases(silos), of which for the Minuteman-3 ICBM - 50, for the Minuteman-3M ICBM - 300, for the Minuteman-3S ICBM - 150 and for the MX ICBM - 50 (all silos are impact protected wave 70–140 kg/cm 2):
Currently, ICBM forces are subordinate to the US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), created in August 2009.
All Minuteman ICBMs– three-stage solid-fuel rockets. Each of them carries from one to three nuclear warheads.
ICBM "Minuteman-3" began deployment in 1970. It was equipped with Mk-12 nuclear warheads (W62 warhead with a capacity of 170 kt). The maximum firing range is up to 13,000 km.
ICBM "Minuteman-3M" began deployment in 1979. Equipped with Mk-12A nuclear warheads (335 kt W78 warhead). The maximum firing range is up to 13,000 km.
ICBM "Minuteman-3S" began deployment in 2006. Equipped with one Mk-21 nuclear warhead (300 kt W87 warhead). The maximum firing range is up to 13,000 km.
ICBM "MX"- three-stage solid-fuel rocket. Began deployment in 1986. Equipped with ten Mk-21 nuclear warheads. The maximum firing range is up to 9,000 km.
According to expert estimates, at the time of the entry into force of the START-3 Treaty (Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States on measures for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive weapons) On February 5, 2011, the ground component of the US SNA had about 450 deployed ICBMs with approximately 560 warheads.
1.2. Marine component
The naval component of the US SNA consists of nuclear submarines equipped with intercontinental-range ballistic missiles. Their established names are SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines) and SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles). SSBNs equipped with SLBMs are the most survivable component of the US SNA. According to today's estimates, in the near and medium term there will be no real threat survivability of American SSBNs».
According to expert estimates, at the end of 2010, the naval component of the US strategic nuclear forces included 14 Ohio-class SSBNs, of which 6 SSBNs were based on the Atlantic coast (naval base Kingsbay, Georgia) and 8 SSBNs were based on the Pacific coast (naval base Kitsan, Washington). Each SSBN is equipped with 24 Trident-2 class SLBMs.
SLBM "Trident-2" (D-5)- three-stage solid-fuel rocket. It began to be deployed in 1990. It is equipped with either Mk-4 nuclear warheads and their modification Mk-4A (W76 warhead with a yield of 100 kt), or Mk-5 nuclear warheads (W88 warhead with a yield of 475 kt). The standard configuration is 8 warheads, the actual configuration is 4 warheads. The maximum firing range is over 7,400 km.
According to expert estimates, at the time the New START Treaty entered into force, the US naval component of the SNA had up to 240 deployed SLBMs with approximately 1,000 warheads.
1.3. Aviation component
The aviation component of the US SNA consists of strategic, or heavy, bombers capable of solving nuclear problems. Their advantage over ICBMs and SLBMs, according to the new US nuclear doctrine, is that they “ can be demonstratively deployed in regions to warn potential adversaries in crisis situations about strengthening nuclear deterrence and to reaffirm to allies and partners American commitments to ensure their security».
All strategic bombers have dual-mission status: they can carry out strikes using both nuclear and conventional weapons. According to expert estimates, at the end of 2010, the aviation component of the US SNA at five air bases in the continental United States included approximately 230 bombers of three types - B-52N, B-1B and B-2A (of which more than 50 units are in stock reserve ).
Currently strategic air force, like ICBM forces, are subordinate to the US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
Strategic bomber B-52N- turboprop subsonic aircraft. It began to be deployed in 1961. Currently, only long-range air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) AGM-86B and AGM-129A are intended for its nuclear equipment. The maximum flight range is up to 16,000 km.
B-1B strategic bomber- supersonic jet aircraft. It began to be deployed in 1985. Currently it is intended to perform non-nuclear missions, but has not yet been removed from the count of strategic carriers of nuclear weapons under the START-3 Treaty, since the relevant procedures provided for by this Treaty have not been completed. The maximum flight range is up to 11,000 km (with one in-flight refueling).
- subsonic jet aircraft. It began to be deployed in 1994. Currently, only B61 aerial bombs (modifications 7 and 11) of variable power (from 0.3 to 345 kt) and B83 (with a power of several megatons) are intended for its nuclear equipment. The maximum flight range is up to 11,000 km.
ALCM AGM-86В- subsonic air-launched cruise missile. It began to be deployed in 1981. It is equipped with a W80-1 warhead of variable power (from 3 to 200 kt). The maximum firing range is up to 2,600 km.
ALCM AGM-129A- subsonic cruise missile. Began deployment in 1991. Equipped with the same warhead as the AGM-86B missile. The maximum firing range is up to 4,400 km.
According to expert estimates, at the time of the entry into force of the START-3 Treaty, there were about 200 deployed bombers in the aviation component of the US SNA, which counted the same number of nuclear warheads (according to the rules of the START-3 Treaty, one warhead is conditionally counted for each deployed strategic bomber, since V daily activities all of them do not have nuclear weapons on board).
1.4. Combat control of strategic offensive forces
System combat control(SBU) The US SNA is a set of primary and reserve systems, including primary and reserve stationary and mobile (air and ground) controls, communications and automated data processing systems. The SBU provides automated collection, processing and transmission of data on the situation, development of orders, plans and calculations, bringing them to the executors and control of implementation.
Main combat control system is designed for the timely response of the SNS to a tactical warning about the beginning of nuclear missile strike across the USA. Its main bodies are the stationary main and reserve command centers of the Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, the command and reserve command centers US Joint Strategic Command, command posts of air armies, missile and air wings.
It is believed that in any scenario of the outbreak of a nuclear war, the combat crews of these control points will be able to organize measures to increase the combat readiness of the SNS and transmit the order to begin their combat use.
Backup combat control and communications system in emergency situations unites a number of systems, the main of which are reserve control systems for the US armed forces using air and ground mobile command posts.
1.5. Prospects for the development of strategic offensive forces
The current development program of the US SNA does not provide for the construction of new ICBMs, SSBNs and strategic bombers in the foreseeable period. At the same time, by reducing the total reserve of strategic nuclear weapons during the implementation of the START-3 Treaty, “ The United States will maintain the ability to “reload” a number of nuclear warheads as a technical hedge against any future problems with delivery systems and warheads, as well as in the event of a significant deterioration in the security environment" Thus, the so-called “return potential” is formed by “demiring” ICBMs and reducing the number of warheads on SLBMs by half.
As follows from the report of US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, presented to the American Congress in May 2010, after the fulfillment of the terms of the START III Treaty (February 2018) in combat strength The US SNA will have 420 Minuteman-3 ICBMs, 14 Ohio-class SSBNs with 240 Trident-2 SLBMs and up to 60 B-52H and B-2A bombers.
The multi-year, $7 billion improvement of the Minuteman-3 ICBM under the Minuteman-3 Life Cycle Extension program with the goal of keeping these missiles in service until 2030 is almost complete.
As noted in the new US nuclear doctrine, " Although there is no need to make a decision in the next few years on any subsequent ICBM, exploratory studies on this issue should begin today. In this regard, in 2011–2012. The Department of Defense will begin studies to analyze alternatives. This study will examine a range of different ICBM development options with the goal of identifying a cost-effective approach that will support further reductions in U.S. nuclear weapons while ensuring sustainable deterrence.».
In 2008, production of a modified version of the Trident-2 D-5 LE (Life Extension) SLBM began. In total, by 2012, 108 of these missiles will be purchased for more than $4 billion. The Ohio-class SSBNs will be equipped with modified SLBMs for the remainder of their service life, which has been extended from 30 to 44 years. The first in the Ohio series of SSBNs is scheduled to be withdrawn from the fleet in 2027.
Since it takes a long time to design, build, test and deploy new SSBNs, the US Navy will begin exploratory studies to replace existing SSBNs starting in 2012. Depending on the results of the study, as noted in the new US nuclear doctrine, the feasibility of reducing the number of SSBNs from 14 to 12 units in the future may be considered.
As for the aviation component of the US SNA, the US Air Force is studying the possibility of creating strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which from 2018 should replace the current bombers. Moreover, as proclaimed in the new US nuclear doctrine, “ The Air Force will evaluate alternatives to inform 2012 budget decisions on whether and how to replace existing long-range air-launched cruise missiles that are due to expire at the end of the next decade.».
In the field of development of nuclear weapons, the main efforts in the United States in the coming years will be aimed at improving existing nuclear warheads. The development of a highly reliable nuclear warhead, begun in 2005 by the Department of Energy as part of the RRW (Reliable Replacement Warhead) project, has now been suspended.
As part of the implementation of the non-nuclear prompt global strike strategy, the United States continues to develop technologies for guided warheads and non-nuclear warheads for ICBMs and SLBMs. This work is being carried out under the leadership of the Office of the Minister of Defense (Office of Advanced Research), which makes it possible to eliminate duplication of research conducted by the branches of the armed forces and to spend more efficiently cash and ultimately accelerate the development of precision warheads for strategic ballistic missiles.
Since 2009, a number of demonstration launches of prototypes of intercontinental-range delivery vehicles being created have been carried out, but no significant achievements have been achieved yet. According to expert estimates, the creation and deployment of high-precision ICBMs and SLBMs with non-nuclear equipment can hardly be expected before 2020.
2. Non-strategic nuclear weapons
Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has significantly reduced its NSNW (non-strategic nuclear weapons) arsenal. As emphasized in the new US nuclear doctrine, today the United States maintains only a limited number of forward-deployed nuclear weapons in Europe, and no a large number of in U.S. warehouses ready for global deployment in support of Extended Deterrence for allies and partners».
As of January 2011, the United States had approximately 500 operational non-strategic nuclear warheads. Among them are 400 B61 free-fall bombs of several modifications with variable power (from 0.3 to 345 kt) and 100 W80-O warheads of variable power (from 3 to 200 kt) for cruise missiles sea-based(SLCM) long-range (up to 2,600 km) "Tomahawk" (TLAM/N), adopted for service in 1984.
About half of the above air bombs are deployed at six US air bases in five NATO countries: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. In addition, about 800 non-strategic nuclear warheads, including 190 W80-O warheads, are inactive in reserve.
American F-15 and F-16 fighter-bombers certified to perform nuclear missions, as well as aircraft of US NATO allies, can be used as carriers of nuclear bombs. Among the latter are Belgian and Dutch F-16 aircraft and German and Italian Tornado aircraft.
Tomahawk nuclear SLCMs are designed to arm multi-purpose nuclear submarines (NPS) and some types of surface ships. At the beginning of 2011, the US Navy had 320 missiles of this type in service. All of them are stored in the arsenals of naval bases on the continental United States in 24-36 hour readiness for loading onto nuclear submarines and surface ships, as well as special ammunition transports, including transport aircraft.
As for the prospects for American non-nuclear weapons, the new US nuclear doctrine concludes that it is necessary to adopt following measures :
— the Air Force must maintain a “dual-mission” fighter-bomber (that is, capable of using both conventional and nuclear weapons) after replacing the existing F-15 and F-16 aircraft with the F-35 all-purpose strike aircraft;
— continue to fully implement the Life Extension Program of the B61 nuclear bomb to ensure its compatibility with the F-35 aircraft and improve its operational safety, security from unauthorized access and control of use in order to increase confidence in it;
- remove the Tomahawk nuclear SLCM from service (this system is recognized as redundant in nuclear arsenal USA, and it has not been deployed since 1992).
3. Nuclear cuts in future
The new US nuclear doctrine states that the President of the United States has directed a review of possible future reductions in US strategic nuclear weapons below the levels established by the START III Treaty. It is emphasized that the scale and pace of subsequent reductions in US nuclear arsenals will be influenced by several factors.
Firstly, “Any future reductions should strengthen deterrence against potential regional adversaries, strategic stability with Russia and China, and reaffirm American security assurances to allies and partners.”
Secondly, “the implementation of the program “Maintaining the Readiness of the Nuclear Arsenal” and the funding of nuclear infrastructure recommended by the US Congress (over 80 billion dollars are allocated for this - V.E.) will allow the United States to abandon the practice of maintaining a large number of undeployed nuclear warheads in reserve in case of technical or geopolitical surprises and thereby significantly reduce the nuclear arsenal.”
Third, “Russia’s nuclear forces will remain a significant factor in determining how much and how quickly the United States is willing to further reduce its nuclear forces.”
Given the above, the US administration will seek discussions with Russia on further reductions in nuclear arsenals and increased transparency. As stated, “this could be achieved through formal agreements and/or through parallel voluntary measures. Subsequent reductions must be larger in scale than provided for in previous bilateral agreements, covering all nuclear weapons of both states, and not just deployed strategic nuclear weapons.”
Assessing these intentions of Washington, it should be noted that they practically do not take into account Moscow’s concerns caused by:
— the deployment of the American global missile defense system, which could in the future weaken the deterrence potential of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces;
- the enormous superiority of the United States and its allies in conventional armed forces, which may increase even more with the adoption of the developed American systems long-range precision weapons;
— the reluctance of the United States to support the draft treaty banning the deployment of any types of weapons in space, submitted by Russia and China to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva in 2008.
Without finding mutually acceptable solutions to these problems, Washington is unlikely to be able to persuade Moscow to enter into new negotiations on further reductions in nuclear arsenals.
/V.I. Esin, Ph.D., leading researcher at the Center for Problems of Military-Industrial Policy, Institute of the USA and Canada Russian Academy Sciences, www.rusus.ru/
In October 2018, world leaders managed to heat up the international political situation to the limit. First, Donald Trump remembered the US nuclear weapons and said that the country could withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which was signed by Gorbachev and Reagan in 1987. This treaty regulated the elimination of an entire class of weapons intended, including including, for the delivery of nuclear warheads to the territory of the main conditional opponents of that time.
What did Putin say about nuclear war?
And after Trump expressed the opinion that the United States might reconsider its participation in the treaty, Vladimir Putin, without thinking twice, expressed his vision of this issue, which is best quoted:
“The aggressor must know that retaliation is inevitable, that he will be destroyed. And we are a victim of aggression. We, as martyrs, will go to heaven. And they will simply die. Because they won’t even have time to repent.”
These words spread like lightning across the planet, returning the world to the times of the Cold War, when the main superpowers regularly flexed their muscles and threatened to use nuclear weapons. It seemed to many that these times were long behind us, because after the signing of the INF Treaty, Russia and the United States, in fact, lost the opportunity to launch a nuclear strike without the other side suffering from it. To do this, it is necessary that missiles with nuclear charges have a minimum flight time, and this can only be achieved with the help of medium and short-range missiles. Despite the fact that, according to the terms of the treaty, such missiles should have been completely destroyed almost 30 years ago, today not only these two superpowers, but also many others have them. The USA was especially successful in this, where, apparently, they had no intention of curtailing engineering and design work for the production of this type of weapon.
What nuclear weapons does the US have?
The United States, being a pioneer country in terms of creating nuclear weapons, today has the most impressive potential for this deadly type of weapon. But you need to understand that the nuclear bomb itself and the means of its delivery, i.e. rocket is not the same thing. Therefore, even despite the large number of nuclear weapons produced in the United States, the potential for their use remains limited by the delivery vehicles on which they can be placed.
Generally speaking, today the United States has:
Total nuclear charges - 1481 units, including:
– for intercontinental ballistic missiles and aircraft – 481 units;
– for submarines – 920 units.
Total nuclear charge carriers – 741 units, including:
– intercontinental ballistic missiles – 431 units;
– submarines capable of carrying ballistic missiles – 59 units;
– strategic bombers – 80 units.
US nuclear weapons are geographically located throughout the world. A significant part of the US nuclear arsenal is located in Europe and Turkey. Submarines with nuclear missiles ply the Atlantic waters, Mediterranean Sea And Persian Gulf. And, of course, on the North American continent itself there are dozens of places where nuclear weapons are concentrated, some of which do not in appearance resemble military facilities.
As is known, in 1963 and 1966. Treaties were signed that introduced a ban on nuclear testing in the USA, USSR and other countries. The superpowers constantly increased the power of exploding nuclear bombs, and when in 1961 the USSR tested a 50-megaton “Tsar Bombe”, the explosion of which was recorded by sensors all over the planet, many thought that the end of the world was already near. As a result of the signing of the 1966 treaty, countries lost the opportunity to test the types they produced nuclear weapons, although some states did not join it for a long time. In 2015, when the United States needed to test the latest modification of the newest atomic bomb, the B61, a version of the missile without a warhead was used for this purpose. In addition, all nuclear tests in the United States are simulated on a supercomputer.
Is the US preparing for a nuclear war with Russia?
We have already talked about whether it is possible to use nuclear weapons in the near future when we discussed the prospects for an offensive. Let us repeat that from the point of view of the interests of those in power, such a conflict is unlikely in the coming years, because no one will want to cut the branch on which they “live”, i.e. destroy their own planet, on which people like Trump or Putin feel like masters. Even if we assume that the USA will develop an ultra-fast and targeted version nuclear attack to Russia, this will inevitably cause a response, similar to the one that Putin spoke about in the words already mentioned above. And if you look at politics Russian President unbiased, then you can understand that he is closely, and in fact plays with her on the same side.
Therefore, all words about withdrawal from the missile treaty, the use of nuclear weapons or martyrdom are just ostentatious bravado, intended to Once again exacerbate global political confrontation and force people to live in constant fear of the future. We have already mentioned that he is a person put in charge of the United States in order to rock the boat of world politics and economics, and ideally turn everything upside down. And so far he has been successful in this, because if this continues, the world will slide into the abyss of global chaos by the beginning of next year.
Economist, analyst. Studied at a special gymnasium, then at the Donetsk National
University of Economics and Trade with a degree in Finance. Completed master's degree and
graduate school, after which he worked for several years as a research assistant in one of
institutions National Academy Sciences of Ukraine. In parallel with this I received a second
higher education with a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Prepared for
defending a candidate's dissertation in economics. I write scientific and journalistic articles with
2010. I am interested in economics, politics, science, religion and much more.
| US nuclear weapons | |
|---|---|
| Story | |
| Beginning of the nuclear program | October 21, 1939 |
| First test | July 16, 1945 |
| First thermonuclear explosion | November 1, 1952 |
| September 23, 1992 | The last test |
| Powerful explosion | 15 megatons (1 March 1954) |
| Total tests | 1054 explosions |
| Maximum warheads | 66,500 warheads (1967) |
| Current number of warheads | 1350 on 652 deployed carriers. |
| Max. delivery distance | 13,000 km/8,100 miles (ICBM) 12,000 km/7,500 miles (SLBM) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (since 1968, one of the 5 parties allowed to possess nuclear weapons) |
Since 1945, the United States has produced 66.5 thousand. atomic bombs and nuclear warheads. This assessment was made by the director of the nuclear information program at the Federation of American Scientists, Hans Christensen, and his colleague from the Defense Council natural resources Robert Norris, in the pages of the Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists in 2009.
In two government laboratories - in Los Alamos and Livermore. Lawrence - since 1945, a total of about 100 different types of nuclear charges and their modifications have been created.
Story
The very first atomic bombs, which entered service at the end of the 40s of the last century, weighed about 9 tons and could only be delivered to potential targets by heavy bombers.
By the early 1950s, the United States had developed more compact bombs with less weight and diameter, which made it possible to equip US front-line aircraft with them. Somewhat later they entered service Ground Forces nuclear charges for ballistic missiles, artillery shells and mines. The Air Force received warheads for surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. A number of warheads have been developed for the Navy and Marine Corps. Navy SEAL sabotage units received light nuclear mines for special missions.
Carriers
The composition of US nuclear weapons delivery vehicles and their jurisdiction have changed since the first atomic bombs appeared in service with the US Army Aviation. IN different time, the Army (medium-range ballistic missiles, nuclear artillery and nuclear infantry ammunition), the Navy (missile-carrying ships and nuclear submarines carrying cruise and ballistic missiles), the Air Force (intercontinental ground-based, silo- and bunker-based, bottom-based ballistic missiles, railway combat missile systems, air-launched cruise missiles, guided and unguided aircraft missiles, strategic bombers and missile-carrying aircraft). As of the beginning of 1983, offensive weapons in the US nuclear arsenal were represented by 54 Titan-2 ICBMs, 450 Minuteman-2 ICBMs, 550 Minuteman-3 ICBMs, 100 Peacekeeper ICBMs, about 350 Stratofortress strategic bombers "and 40 APRC with various types SLBM on board.
Office of Ground and air assets The delivery of nuclear weapons is handled by the US Air Force Global Strike Command. Seaborne delivery vehicles are operated by the Fleet Forces Command (NAS Kings Bay - 16th Submarine Squadron) and the Pacific Fleet (NAS Kitsap - 17th Submarine Squadron). Collectively they report to the Strategic Command.
Megatonnage
Since 1945, the total yield of nuclear warheads has increased many times and reached its peak by 1960 - it amounted to over 20 thousand megatons, which is approximately equivalent to the power of 1.36 million bombs dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945.
The largest number of warheads was in 1967 - about 32 thousand. Subsequently, the Pentagon's arsenal was reduced by almost 30% over the next 20 years.
At the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the United States had 22,217 warheads.
Production
Production of new warheads ceased in 1991, although [ When?] [ ] its resumption is planned. The military continues to modify existing types of charges [ When?] [ ] .
The US Department of Energy is responsible for the entire production cycle - from the development of fissile weapons materials to the development and production of ammunition and their disposal.
Enterprise management is carried out