The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration has announced the first production of an upgraded W88 thermonuclear warhead designed for UGM-133A Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles launched from nuclear submarines, The Drive reported.
The product, dubbed the W88 Alteration 370 (Alt 370), was created on July 1st. It differs from previous modifications of the W88, in particular, by updating the charge initiation system and adding a lightning rod connector.
Weapon modernization work began 11 years ago and should be completed in 2026. The cost of the corresponding program is $ 2.8 billion.
In June, Popular Mechanics magazine wrote that flight tests of the American advanced Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) are scheduled for 2023.
In May, Defense News, citing a statement from General Timothy Ray, reported that the creation of a new ICBM under the GBSD program to replace the LGM-30G Minuteman III, which has been in service since 1970, would cost $ 38 billion less than supporting the latter before 2075 year.
