Gen.: Nuke arsenal can be cut, not eliminated

[RC]

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Mar 5, 2008 12:05:21 EST

The officer who oversees America’s nuclear arsenal said he supports a reduction in the warhead inventory but that a strong nuclear deterrent will be needed for many decades to come.

“I believe we’re going to need a nuclear deterrent in this country for the remainder of this century, the 21st century,” said Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, in a meeting Tuesday with defense reporters in Washington.

But as U.S. officials look to the future, Chilton said, “What we need is a modernized nuclear weapon to go with our modernized delivery platforms that we’ve worked on and are working on, and a responsive infrastructure, one that can produce weapons.

“If we do that right ... you have an opportunity to lower what is referred to commonly as the hedge inventory, the backup inventory,” said Chilton, who is due to retire this summer.

Edit to add link: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/03/military_chilton_nuclearweapons_030508w/

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Weren't we under Clinton helping the old Soviet Union dismantle their nuclear missiles. And didn't bu$h defund it as one of his first acts? I seem to remember something to that effect.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

1. We need to destroy all nuclear weapons.

Peace be with you all.

[Captain Angry]

2. Before people freak out...

Keep in mind that the old nuclear weapons were not built with safety and shelf-life in mind, they were built to go boom.

If they're going to retire and dismantle old stuff, fantastic.

If they decide that they still want to have nuclear weapons, it's the world's loss. BUT if they're going to replace them, at least the new designs are safe enough that they can't be dismantled by unauthorized people, and are designed to stand up to being hit by a truck or explosives. I know somebody who was involved in testing a new design to ensure a weapon could handle a direct lightning strike without detonating or becoming unstable.


I hate nuclear weapons, but I also know that we're a LONG way away from having anybody in office that will really work to rid the world of them. Hell we can't get rid of cluster bombs and landmines.

If they HAVE to deploy replacements, at least they will be far safer.