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The W80-1, a warhead carried by the air-launched cruise missile, was introduced to the stockpile in 1982. An alteration is a change to a component that does not alter the weapon’s operational capability. The Alt 369 replaces Limited Life Components in the warhead.
The W80-1 Alt 369, scheduled to run through December 2020, will remain operational until the transition to the life-extended W80-4, supporting NNSA’s strategy to ensure the American nuclear arsenal continues to be safe, secure, and effective.
https://www.sandia.gov/labnews/2017/11/ ... 69-update/
NNSA certifies first W80-4 warhead canned subassembly at Y-12 ahead of schedule
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly participated in the diamond-stamping of the First Production Unit (FPU) of a canned subassembly (CSA) for the W80-4 Life Extension Program at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The CSA component is the “secondary” stage of a modern two-stage thermonuclear weapon. Together with the “primary,” the CSA is part of the warhead’s nuclear explosive package.
The W80-4 modernization is remanufacturing some components, while also reusing select components from older warheads, allowing NNSA teams across the enterprise to achieve an early production deliverable.
Once completed, the W80-4 program will provide warheads for the U.S. Air Force’s planned Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile, which will replace the Air Launched Cruise Missile and will provide the President with additional flexible nuclear options.
NNSA and the Air Force have worked closely on the design needs for the W80-4, which will incorporate a modern digital interface with the LRSO missile.
The FPU of a completed W80-4 warhead is expected to be finished in September 2027, ahead of the Air Force’s need.
https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/nn ... d-schedule
