The U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Program is working to fast track the improvement and development of three critical weapons systems, Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe told members of the House Armed Services Committee,. the Navy Times reports.
These include the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapons System, hypersonic missiles and the sea-launched nuclear cruise missile in development, known as the SLCM-N.
The SLCM-N is expected to be ready to deliver in 2035.
“It brings another option to our decision makers to deter our adversaries. It is an underlay for our triad and certainly it brings a regional weapon and a deterrent that we just don’t have today,” Wolfe said of the SLCM-N.
Of the Trident weapons system, Wolfe said: “The U.S. nuclear triad’s most survivable leg is provided by this sea-based strategic deterrent.”
He noted that the ballistic missile submarine force deploys a significant amount of U.S. nuclear warheads.
Wolfe stressed that his command, Strategic Systems Programs, required the expertise of its already lean workforce, which he said needs to grow.
He described the task faced by Strategic Systems Programs in overseeing the development and readiness of nuclear missile systems as critical to U.S. national security.
“It is the foundation of the national defense strategy and is a top priority of the Department of Defense,” Wolfe said.
