By Elaine M. Grossman
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Navy has toyed for years with the idea of improving the accuracy of its Trident D-5 nuclear payload, with an eye toward giving the weapon greater utility against a wider range of targets, according to defense officials and outside experts (see GSN, Aug. 1).

However, Congress has repeatedly thwarted efforts to launch an ambitious precision upgrade program for the submarine-launched missile’s Mk-4 re-entry body.

Lawmakers have cited concerns that a more accurate warhead could increase the risk of nuclear exchanges. A U.S. president, the theory goes, might be more tempted to order a nuclear strike if he had greater confidence that the weapon would very precisely destroy hardened ICBM silos or underground bunkers. Additionally, an adversary might pre-emptively launch nuclear weapons if its weapons or national leaders were thought to be at imminent risk of pinpoint attacks, critics on Capitol Hill have said.

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By Elaine M. Grossman
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON - Adm. William Fallon, head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, said late last month he is confident Pakistan would avoid ratcheting up tensions in its nuclear weapons standoff with India, despite some troubling signs (see GSN, June 25).

The top commander’s remarks, offered in an exclusive July 27 interview with Global Security Newswire, come as the government of Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf appears to be moving to dramatically increase the nation’s nuclear weapons production capacity.

At the same time, Pakistan is renewing its condemnation of a pact the Bush administration has struck that promises U.S. aid for India’s nuclear energy program. The agreement, which has not yet been approved by either nation’s legislature, would grant New Delhi access to sensitive U.S. nuclear technologies in exchange for submitting its civilian nuclear reactors to international oversight (see GSN, Aug.3).

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