Full Title: National Nuclear Security Administration: Assessments of Nuclear Weapon Acquisitions
Author(s): U.S. Government Accountability Office
Publisher(s): U.S. Government Accountability Office
Publication Date: December 17, 2024
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The United States is investing tens of billions of dollars in nuclear weapon acquisition programs to modernize aging nuclear weapons. NNSA is currently managing seven such programs, in coordination with DOD.
Two Senate Armed Services Committee reports include provisions for GAO to review NNSA’s management of its nuclear weapon acquisition programs, as well as the status of these programs biennially. This report assesses (1) the processes NNSA uses for managing these programs and (2) the challenges NNSA faces. The report also includes individual assessments of the five NNSA nuclear weapon acquisition programs under way at the start of GAO’s review.
GAO reviewed NNSA documentation and directives on agency processes, program cost and schedule baselines, and design and technology issues. GAO assessed performance in these areas using criteria in NNSA directives, as well as criteria from GAO’s Technology Readiness Assessment Guide. GAO also visited NNSA sites and interviewed agency officials and contractors about challenges.