US plans to split work for producing nuclear weapons' cores

[KY_EnviroGuy]

3. I believe that refers to...

an ongoing program to modernize and refurbish our nuclear arsenal. Don't have the history at hand, but I think the financing was boosted during both W's and Obama's administrations. i recall reading that a lot of the technology is very old and way out of date.

Some good info here:
Nuclear weapons of the United States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_of_the_United_States#United_States_strategic_nuclear_weapons_arsenal

(snip)

The Obama Administration, in its release of the 2012 defense budget, included planned to modernize, as well as maintain, the nation's nuclear weapons arsenal.

Perhaps one of our nuclear experts can chime in here with additional reference.

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