Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

Detailed Justification
FY 2010
Actual
Approp
FY 2011
Request
FY 2012
Request
Life Extension Program 231,888 249,463 480,597
Life extension is a major stockpile management program activity NNSA developed to extend the
expected stockpile lifetime of legacy weapons systems for an additional 20 to 30 years. The
NNSA, in conjunction with the DoD, executes a LEP following the procedural guidelines of the
Phase 6.x process. The Phase 6.x process results from NWC recommendations to the President
to develop and field replacements for those components that will extend the life of legacy
systems and enhance their safety and security. The President then seeks Congressional
authorization to expend resources to implement his decisions regarding the options developed
during Phases 6.1 (concept assessment) and 6.2 (feasibility and option development). The LEP
activities include the research, development, and production work required to ensure weapons
systems continue to meet national security requirements.
The production requirements for the B61 and W76 outlined in the 2010 NPR validate a need to
continue production ramp up at the Pantex Plant, increase non-nuclear activities at the Kansas
City Plant (KCP), and develop advanced surety technologies for the B61, as described in the
following narratives on the B61 and W76 LEPs.
B61 Life Extension Program 0 0 223,562
The B61 LEP extends the life of the B61 Mod 3, 4, and 7 nuclear bombs. The FY 2012
budget requests funds for the B61 Mod 12 (B61-12) in the LEP control level as activity shifts
from a feasibility study to a full LEP. The B61-12 will replace end-of-life components,
improve aircraft compatibility, implement improved safety and use control technologies to
extend the bomb life for another 30 years. The NNSA plans completion of the First
Production Unit (FPU) in FY 2017. The NNSA will deliver the refurbished bomb to the U.S.
Air Force for integration with the B-2 Spirit bomber and to U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) forces utilizing Dual Capable Aircraft to enable the extended
deterrence mission.
The FY 2012 mission scope includes: Phase 6.3 Development Engineering activities for
(1) development of designs and continued maturation of technologies for new firing, arming
and safing components, radar components, GTSs, NGs, permissive action link components
and equipment, power supplies, thermal batteries, joint test assemblies, weapon trainers, and
test and handling gear; (2) development of designs and technologies to refurbish the B61
primary with reuse of the existing B61 nuclear pit, reuse or remanufacture of the B61 Mod 4
canned subassembly, and consolidation of the B61 Mod 3, 4, and 7 into a single bomb Mod;
(3) pending Phase 6.2 feasibility assessment and down-select decisions, implementation and
maturation of enhanced surety technologies into the nuclear explosive package; (4) conduct
of qualification and certification activities including component and system testing,
Weapons Activities/
Directed Stockpile Work Page 63
FY 2012 Congressional Budget