U.S. back in nuclear warhead business

UPI via ET ^ | July 03, 2007 | Staff

[jdm]

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 3 -- The Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has resumed production of plutonium detonators, the first production since 1989.

The first detonator, known as a "pit," was completed last month and shipped to Texas, but on Monday, the laboratory hosted a ceremonial stamping of approval of a second pit for dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., The Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal reported.

The devices are designed for W88 warheads used on nuclear submarines and the lab intends to produce 10 of them a year to replace older ones in rotation, lab Director Michael Anastasio told the Journal.

The United States hasn't produced nuclear warheads since 1989 when a facility in Rocky Flats outside Denver was closed due to environmental problems.

As the ceremony concluded, the Physicians for Social Responsibility group had a news conference at a Los Alamos hotel denouncing the resumption.

"Nuclear weapons development is just not needed," spokesman Mike McCally said in the Journal report. "We rather should be moving toward reducing our weapons stockpile."

[jdm]

"Nuclear weapons development is just not needed," spokesman Mike McCally said in the Journal report. "We rather should be moving toward reducing our weapons stockpile."

Pansies.

[pissant]

We need the nuclear penetrator. I’m glad to see this. Go nukes!

[mtbopfuyn]

Good news, but how quickly will secrets be passed on to our enemies?

[NonValueAdded]

Need them now more than ever

[HEY4QDEMS]

Nuclear weapons development is just not needed," spokesman Mike McCally said in the Journal report. "We rather should be moving toward reducing our weapons stockpile."

BS, the Ruskies have been continuing to develop nuclear weapons technology through China, North Korea, and now Iran.

Sitting on our laurels for the past 15 years was a huge mistake.

It's time to let Russia know that their so called unilateral weapons moratorium is not fooling us anymore.

[null and void]

"We rather should be moving toward reducing our weapons stockpile."

Through use...

[RightWhale]

the Physicians for Social Responsibility

The mad bombers of Britain wouldn't happen to be members of this group, would they?

[Diogenesis]

[pissant]

What a waste of oxygen the UN has been.

[sfvgto]

I know of several perfect places that we could use to test them......just to make sure that they work properly....

[Bigh4u2]

“Good news, but how quickly will secrets be passed on to our enemies?”

How long does it take to print up the New York Times?

[Stallone]

Go baby!

[Ancesthntr]

10 per year? That’s IT? We have thousands of warheads, and replacing 10 detonators per year (if they’re needed to replace unreliable ones, and presumeably they are) will only scratch the surface.

Either they’re not needed for old stuff and we’re producing new nukes (penetrators), or they’re lying about the numbers, or we’re damned fools.

[jackieaxe]

"Nuclear weapons development is just not needed," spokesman Mike McCally said in the Journal report. "We rather should be moving toward reducing our weapons stockpile."

Mr. McCally, why don't you try and go sell crazy in Pakistan and Iran and see how far it gets you. /sarcasm.

[Still Thinking]

Depends if Algore or Hillary wins the Presidency.

[Sender]

"Nuclear weapons development is just not needed"

...to replace older ones in rotation.

This isn't a buildup, they eventually need maintenance. And we may yet reach a day when fresh ones will be needed.

[lesser_satan]

The Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has resumed production of plutonium detonators, the first production since 1989.

I'm assuming by "plutonium detonator" they mean the fission primary for a fusion weapon?

[the lone wolf]

You are right that 10 is not very many in comparison to the size of our present stockpile. My guess is that this small program is meant to keep a skill set alive that was slowly disappearing. It might be years before we have another full scale nuclear weapons production run, and the junior scientists involved in this effort now might be in charge then. If that is the case, then it is a very good investment.