To be cost effective, this will require refurbishment, using as much technology from commercial applications and non-nuclear weapon systems as possible. However, technologies unique to nuclear weapon systems will have to be sustained as well. The character and disposition of today's U.S. nuclear forces are the result of the drawdown from the historic U.S.-Soviet competition. The United States is planning to maintain the current generation of missiles and aircraft and their associated warheads well into the next century. There are no replacement programs under way for any of today's nuclear forces.
Several programs are under way to sustain the effectiveness of current forces.
Sustainment programs include replacing the propellant and guidance systems of Minuteman III missiles during the next decade and refurbishing of Minuteman III silos and launch control centers to keep the system operational through 2020. The B-52 strategic bomber will be operational through 2040 with planned modernization and sustaining engineering programs. Keeping the current nuclear weapon systems operational over their predicted lifetime poses several challenges. Many subsystem components will exceed their service lifetimes before the systems themselves reach their end of life. These subsystems will have to be replaced.