NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM The weapons complex, of course, starts with three design laboratories, where they do all the development work. Mr. MORGAN. This single line weapons production complex makes bombs, warheads, and the shells for the DOD. Where do we do that? As you know, we have several production facilities that actually make the various components and they're assembled at Amarillo, Tex., and then shipped off to the DOD. We have three support facilities working on inertial confinement fusion as well as the three weapons design laboratories. WEAPONS ACTIVITIES INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR 1984 AND BEYOND • MEET PRODUCTION NOW AND IN THE FUTURE [DELETED] • INCREASE RD&T MANPOWER 15 PERCENT • INCREASE TESTING [DELETED] • REVITALIZE AGING PLANT -RESTORATION -RD&T FACILITIES • IMPROVE CERTAIN WEAPONS IN THE STOCKPILE • PROVIDE MANAGEMENT AND MANUFACTURING FLEXIBILITY Mr. MORGAN. The investment strategy that we're working for fiscal year 1984 and beyond includes meeting production now and in the future, including a surge capability. We also want to increase our RD&T manpower by 15 percent; increase our test capability [deleted] revitalize the aging plant; improve our weapons in the stockpile; and provide manufacturing flexibility. Just where are we in the production at this point in time? We are actually building warheads in this budget for nine separate weapons systems. AMARILLO FACILITY Senator DOMENICI. I want to ask you a question about the production capability that Amarillo brings to mind. Is there any evidence that the Catholic bishop in that area is having any impact on personnel? Mr. MORGAN. He is not at this time, sir. Senator DOMENICI. And, the Department's aware of that, and watches that? Mr. MORGAN. Yes, sir, we are. Senator DOMENICI. Any other areas where religious conviction is having any impact on your ability to keep personnel and perform your mission? WEAPONS ACTIVITIES FY 1985 WEAPONS PROGRAM BUDGET SUMMARY THE BUDGET -MEETS ALL NWSM REQUIREMENTS -SUPPORTS GROWTH IN STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE -CONTINUES RESTORATION PROGRAM -CONTINUES FY 1984 TEST REVITALIZATION PROGRAM AND INITIATES RD&T PROGRAM -SUPPORTS LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND SECURITY -SUPPORTS VIABLE ICF PROGRAM -CONTINUES STOCKPILE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Mr. MORGAN. The budget meets the Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum requirements, supports growth in activities related to the strategic defense initiative, continues the restoration program, implements an expanded revitalization effort to include R&D, and supports long-term commitments. We have a viable ICF program, and we are continuing the stockpile improvements program. NUCLEAR MATERIALS PRODUCTION Going to the nuclear materials production side. This is what the process of materials flow in DOE looks like. We have, first, the raw material coming in from our enrichment and feed plants. It is enriched in the gaseous diffusion plants and delivered to Y-12. We also have depleted uranium going into the system. We then fabricate fuel elements and targets, both at Savannah River and Richland, which are irradiated in the reactors; then we take the spent fuel and targets out; reprocess them, deliver the recovered materials to the weapon component manufacturers, and store the waste. The facilities that we use in materials production basically are shown on this chart. |