DEFENSE: NUCLEAR PROGRAM HAS AIR FORCE BOTH WORRIED AND HOPEFUL By Otto Kreisher

The commander of the U.S. Strategic Command expressed concern Monday over
several aspects of nuclear deterrent capabilities but praised the Nuclear
Posture Review and the administration's FY11 budget that requested a
substantial funding increase to upgrade nuclear weapons facilities and
modernize and sustain the weapons stockpile.

Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton also gave a strong endorsement of the New
START arms control treaty, calling it a "strategy-based approach" to which
his command contributed.

Earlier in the day at the Air Force Association's conference at the
National Harbor convention center in Maryland, a number of senior Air Force
officers in nuclear deterrent commands noted the improvements made in the
last two years to re-establish high standards of security and performance
and to start improvements in the aged nuclear weapons arsenal.

In addressing the challenges to nuclear deterrence, Chilton warned that
the critical capability to warn of a possible nuclear attack is eroding
because of the continued failure of the Space Based Infrared missile launch
warning system.

He noted that he protested the lack of the SBIRS network of satellites in
2008 and 2009 and was assured both times that launch of the first
satellites was imminent. But the program remains trapped in technical
problems and threatened by massive cost overruns.

"It is past time to eliminate this critical gap in our strategic missile
warning system," he said.

Chilton also protested the badly deteriorated condition of the nuclear
weapons production facilities at Oak Ridge, Tenn., which he noted, were
built during the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.

But he praised the steps taken by the administration "to reverse the
15-year neglect" of the nuclear infrastructure, including refurbishment and
upgrades to the nuclear warheads.

Chilton expressed concern that there was no plan to replace the Minuteman
III intercontinental ballistic missiles, but noted that the Navy has
started work on replacing the Ohio-class strategic missile submarines. He
suggested it also should begin planning a replacement for the D-5 Trident
missiles the subs carry.

He also worried about the future of the solid rocket industrial base that
would be needed to produce replacements for the Minuteman and the D-5.

On the positive side, Chilton cited the NPR, which confirmed the need for
a strong nuclear deterrent force and continuation of the nuclear Triad of
land- and sea-based missiles and bombers, and the New START treaty.

Asked about his previous comments that even if Russia cheated on the
treaty's limits it would not be a problem, Chilton said the verification
system would prevent a militarily significant violation. And even if the
Russians violated the pact, they could not gain enough of an edge to
consider a nuclear attack.

Ratification of the treaty in the Senate has been delayed by Republican
concern about the arms reduction and verification.

Earlier, officials noted that the Air Force has spent $8.5 billion in
rebuilding its nuclear deterrent capabilities and created the new Global
Strike Command to establish a single authority over both the missile and
bombers.


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