W93

The United States is developing the W93, its first new nuclear warhead in nearly four decades, intended for deployment on submarines. Coverage explains the warhead's design goals, its place in the US nuclear modernisation programme, and debates over cost, arms control concerns and whether the programme could spark a new arms race.

The US Navy's W93/Mk7 nuclear warhead program has moved into a new development phase. The W93 is intended as a future replacement warhead for the Navy's submarine-launched ballistic missile arsenal. The milestone signals continued progress in the Pentagon and Department of Energy's long-term effort to modernize the US nuclear weapons stockpile, a costly and politically sensitive undertaking.