W76-1 Life Extension Program

W76-1

LIFE LIFE EXTENSION EXTENSION PROGRAM PROGRAM

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OVERVIEW OVERVIEW The TheW76-1 W76-1isisaarefurbished refurbishedW76-0 W76-0 warhead, warhead,which whichisisaasubmarinesubmarinelaunched launchedballistic ballisticmissile missilesystem systemthat that was wasfirst firstintroduced introducedinto intothe thestockpile stockpile for forthe theNavy Navyinin1978.

1978.The TheW76-1 W76-1 Life LifeExtension ExtensionProgram Programextends extendsthe the originally originallydesigned designedwarhead warheadservice service life lifeofof20 20years yearstoto60 60years. years.The TheW76W7611continues continuestotomeet meetall allmissions missionsand and capabilities capabilitiesofofthe theoriginal originalW76-0 W76-0 warhead warheadand anddoes doesnot notprovide providenew new military militarycapabilities. capabilities.NNSA NNSAcompleted completed refurbished refurbishedwarhead warheadproduction productionatat the thePantex PantexPlant PlantininDecember December2018.

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“The W76-1 LEP has required a great deal of coordination and effort from our work force at all levels to nurture the close working relationship between the NNSA, DoD, and our partners in the United Kingdom to ensure that DoD and UK needs are met, and our national nuclear deterrent is effectively maintained through this significant life extension.”

NNSA Administrator, Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty

LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAM (LEP) As weapons systems age or issues arise, sustainment activities may warrant LEPs, Alts, or Mods to address material aging or performance issues, enhance safety features, and improve security. New technologies are typically more modern than those they replace and are developed and matured as part of NNSA’s Phase 6.x Process.

An LEP is intended to evaluate an entire weapon system and refurbish, reuse, or replace components to extend the service life of a warhead while increasing safety and improving security.

SURVEILLANCE W76-1 surveillance activities disassemble warheads returned from submarines to identify potential aging issues in the warheads and their components that could affect reliability, safety, security, and performance. Some surveillance units are built into Joint Test Assemblies to conduct flight tests jointly with the Navy. Other units are built into test bed assemblies to conduct system-level ground tests. Ultimately, the data from these units is used to provide an annual assessment assuring the President that the warhead remains safe, secure, and reliable.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS The W76-1 Life Extension Program’s first production unit was achieved in September 2008, and the first delivery of warheads to the Navy for deployment was completed in FY 2009. NNSA completed refurbished warhead production in December 2018.

MAJOR MILESTONES • Achieve or exceed annual refurbishment warhead production rates at the Pantex Plant.

• Deliver refurbished warheads on schedule to the Navy.

• Produce and deliver joint test assemblies for surveillance flight test.

• Execute retrofit evaluation system test and stockpile surveillance activities to facilitate completion of Annual Assessment and Weapon Reliability activities.

First Delivery of Warheads to Navy for Deployment

End of Warhead

NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE SITES AND LABS PANTEX

The Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, manufactures and tests high explosive components and assemblies. Pantex also disassembles and refurbishes stockpile weapons and components.

Y-12

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, manufactures secondaires – the second stage of thermonuclear weapons – and dismantles and stores highly enriched uranium.

SAVANNAH RIVER

NEVADA

The Nevada National Security Site conducts unique nuclear and non-nuclear experiments that are essential to maintaining the stockpile.

DESIGN LABORATORIES

Three national security laboratories are devoted to nuclear weapons design and data interpretation: • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California; • Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico; and

The Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, extracts, recycles, and loads tritium into gas transfer systems.

• Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California.

KANSAS CITY

Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories were the primary Design Laboratories for the W76-1, and Lawrence Livermore participated in independent review activities.

The Kansas City National Security Campus in Kansas City, Missouri, produces non-nuclear components.