By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy is built on a triad of land, air, and sea-based nuclear capabilities. The Air Force maintains the land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles, while the Navy is responsible for the sea-based weaponry.
In the event of a nuclear conflict, an enemy’s first strike could potentially incapacitate the U.S.’s ground and air-launched systems. However, the U.S.’s deterrence strategy remains robust due to its sea-based systems, which ensure a second-strike capability – the capacity to retaliate.
As Navy Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe Jr., director for strategic systems, puts it, “From the adversary’s viewpoint, regardless of their initial strike plans, our ballistic missile submarine force is always vigilant, patrolling undisclosed locations. If needed, they are survivable and can guarantee a retaliatory strike from our nation. This is absolutely vital when considering the concept of deterrence.”
Wolfe, alongside Air Force Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, presented these insights during a Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing. Over the past year, the Navy has made significant strides in modernizing its portion of the U.S. nuclear triad. Wolfe highlighted that the U.S. Navy has made significant strides in its deterrence capabilities, including successful tests for Ohio-class submarines and the creation of a dedicated office for the sea-launched cruise missile, SLCM-N.
The SLCM-N, a sea-launched cruise missile with nuclear capabilities, can be deployed from surface ships and attack submarines, diverging from the traditional ballistic missile submarines. Wolfe acknowledged to senators that the industrial base primarily responsible for constructing the SLCM-N has deteriorated, posing a challenge to its revival.
Despite obstacles such as a diminished industrial base and supply chain issues, Wolfe emphasized the Navy’s commitment to advancing the modernization of its segment of the nuclear triad. “Our primary obligation is to maintain the current Trident II D5LE missile inventory and provide the necessary operational support to sustain Ohio-class submarines until their retirement in the early 2040s,” he declared.
The Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine is set to replace the Ohio-class SSBN, which first entered service in the 1980s. Part of this transition, according to Wolfe, involves shifting the Trident II D5LE from the Ohio-class to the Columbia-class submarines.
Wolfe emphasized that the U.S. isn’t the only player in nuclear deterrence, acknowledging the significant role of the British. He stated, “The U.S. greatly benefits from its alliances and partnerships. The independent British nuclear deterrent has been recognized by U.S. policy for decades as a valuable contribution to NATO and global stability. The Strategic Systems Programs will persist in supporting and maintaining this crucial relationship.”
While the Navy operates one leg of the nuclear triad, the Air Force operates the other two, with both land-based siloed nuclear missiles and air-launched missiles. “The timely modernization of our nuclear triad remains the command’s paramount focus,” said Bussiere.
Bussiere detailed the ongoing efforts to modernize the Global Strike Command’s (GSC) arsenal, which includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, bomber forces, nuclear command and control platforms, weapons generation facilities, and associated nuclear weapons. He emphasized, “This committee is fully cognizant of the imminent threats our nation faces today and in the foreseeable future. We are currently tasked with deterring two major nuclear-armed rivals, the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, both equipped with advanced and varied nuclear capabilities.”
Furthermore, Bussiere pointed out North Korea and Iran as potential threats. He stated, “The command is not only spearheading the efforts to maintain current forces and deploy future long-range strike weapon systems, but the Global Strike Command also recognizes that the mission of nuclear deterrence forms the cornerstone of our national defense strategy. It is fundamental to our nation’s defense and is crucial for the defense of our allies and partners.”
