Nuclear Weapons: NNSA Needs to Improve Guidance on Weapon Limitations and Planning for Its Stockpile Surveillance Program

Most weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile were produced over 20 years ago and are being sustained beyond original design lifetimes. It is critical to ensure that these weapons are safe, secure, and reliable to perform as the nation s nuclear deterrent. The National Nuclear Security Administration NNSA, a semiautonomous agency within the Department of Energy, is responsible for the nation s nuclear weapons program. NNSA identifies nuclear weapon limitations areas where military requirements may not be met and conducts nonnuclear tests to evaluate the condition and reliability of weapons through its nuclear stockpile surveillance program. GAO was asked to determine the 1 number and types of such limitations and any concerns raised by Department of Defense DOD officials, and 2 actions NNSA has taken to implement its prior recommendations for the nuclear stockpile surveillance program. GAO reviewed agency documents, analyzed limitations, and interviewed key NNSA and DOD officials.