The US Navy and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have completed their tests on their updated version of the nuclear warhead used by the Navy.
Unarmed Trident II D5 missile (on which a W76-1 can be armed) launched from submarine USS Nebraska (Picture source : US Navy)
The NSSA has decided, since 1970, the replacement of the Navy's W76-0 warheads by an upgraded version, the W76-1. This version provides the Navy an extended life for its warheads (up to 20 years more) and safer use of these systems mounted on the submarine-launched Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.
Yet, this upgrade isn't the last to be done, because of the announcement of the government's decision to seek a low-yield variant of the weapon, the W76-2, which could already become designed in 2020. Still, democrates appear to be reluctant about its design and its costs.
