U.S. to spend $1 trillion on nuclear weapons over next decade

[EX500rider]

15. How exactly?

The development and maintenance of nuclear weapons is a complex process involving various entities, primarily governmental organizations and private companies under contract, within the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE).

Here's a breakdown of who is involved:

1. Governmental Oversight & Direction:
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE, through the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), is the primary agency responsible for the nuclear weapons program.
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): This semi-autonomous agency within the DOE is specifically tasked with maintaining and modernizing the U.S. nuclear stockpile.
Department of Defense (DoD): The DoD is responsible for the delivery systems (missiles, bombers, submarines) and integrating the nuclear warheads with these systems.

2. Research & Design Laboratories:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL): LANL is a design laboratory involved in the research, design, and development of nuclear weapons.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL): LLNL is another design laboratory focused on the safety and reliability of the nuclear explosive package.
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL): SNL focuses on the non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons and overall systems engineering.

3. Production Facilities:
Pantex Plant: This plant is responsible for the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of nuclear weapons.
Y-12 National Security Complex: Y-12 produces enriched uranium components and is a key facility in the nuclear weapons complex.
Kansas City National Security Campus: This facility manufactures non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons.
Savannah River Site: This site plays a role in tritium production, a key component in nuclear weapons.

4. Private Companies:
Management & Operating (M&O) Contractors: Private companies are contracted to manage and operate the various national laboratories and production facilities.
Defense Contractors: Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing are involved in building and maintaining delivery systems and some weapon components.

In Summary:
While the U.S. government, through the DOE/NNSA, has overall control and responsibility for nuclear weapons, the actual work is carried out by a network of national laboratories, production facilities, and private companies under contract, forming the Nuclear Security Enterprise.