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Bush signs bill allowing study of new generation of nukes
Washington, Dec 02: US President George W Bush has put his stamp of approval on a bill allocating millions of dollars for research into new types of nuclear weapons and for bolstering readiness at the Nevada nuclear test site.
Washington, Dec 02: US President George W Bush has put his stamp of approval on a bill allocating millions of dollars for research into new types of nuclear weapons and for bolstering readiness at the Nevada nuclear test site.
White House spokesman Scott Mcclellan said yesterday that Bush had signed the energy and water development appropriations act of 2004. The act contains funds for the department of energy and its nuclear programmes.
The measure includes 7.5 million dollars to study the possibility of developing so-called "bunker-busting" nuclear bombs that officials say would enhance America's ability to destroy underground command and control centers and hidden arms depots.
US scientists are looking into the possibility of converting into bunker-busters two existing warheads - the b61 and the b83, according to bush administration officials.
The b61 is a tactical thermonuclear gravity bomb that can be delivered by strategic as well as tactical aircraft --from B-52 and B-2 bombers to F-16 fighter jets.
The B83 is designed for precision delivery from very low altitudes, most likely by b-2 stealth bombers, military experts said.
The measure includes 7.5 million dollars to study the possibility of developing so-called "bunker-busting" nuclear bombs that officials say would enhance America's ability to destroy underground command and control centers and hidden arms depots.
US scientists are looking into the possibility of converting into bunker-busters two existing warheads - the b61 and the b83, according to bush administration officials.
The b61 is a tactical thermonuclear gravity bomb that can be delivered by strategic as well as tactical aircraft --from B-52 and B-2 bombers to F-16 fighter jets.
The B83 is designed for precision delivery from very low altitudes, most likely by b-2 stealth bombers, military experts said.
An additional six million dollars have been earmarked to study low-yield nuclear weapons some experts believe could be useful in high-precision strikes.
Both bunker-busters and low-yield nuclear weapons are seen by some experts as important tools for waging preventive wars against enemies that are secretly building arsenals of weapons of mass destruction.
Bureau Report