Here’s Why America’s “Nuclear Triad” Is So Important
The sea-based leg of the nuclear triad is arguably the most vital for America’s national defense.
In the nuclear age, nation states have aspired to, and in a few cases realized, the nuclear triad—a three-pronged military structure that allows for the diversification of nuclear weapons. Consisting of 1) strategic bombers capable of deploying nuclear bombs and missiles, 2) land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and 3) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), the nuclear triad gives a nation myriad options for deploying a nuclear attack, while essentially eliminating an enemy’s ability to prevent the triad-possessing nation from deploying a nuclear attack.
This result is of the utmost importance in nuclear deterrence, as it ensures that a nation always has “second-strike capability” to annihilate a nation that tries to annihilate it first. Only the United States, Russia, India, and China are known to possess the nuclear triad, while Israel is thought to have developed the triad in secret (though it has refused to confirm any details about its nuclear program).
Let’s take a closer look at the U.S.’s nuclear triad—on air, land, and sea.
Air
The United States has two nuclear capable strategic bombers. Both the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress are nuclear-equipped. America’s other strategic bomber, the B-1B Lancer, was nuclear-capable until 1994, when the airframe’s nuclear mission was eliminated.
The B-2 can carry the B61 and B83 nuclear bombs. The B-52, meanwhile, can carry a variety of air-launched cruise missiles outfitted with nuclear warheads, such as the AGM-86B and the AGM-129. The B-2 is especially potent for its ability to evade detection. The forthcoming B-21 Raider, which will replace the B-2 and the B-1B, will be nuclear capable, and should have the ability to evade detection, even against modern anti-air systems.
In addition to strategic bombers, certain fighter aircraft can also carry nuclear weapons, although these fighters represent more of a tactical option. Nuclear-capable U.S. fighters include the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F-35A Lightning II.
Land
The U.S. only has one land-based ICBM, the LGM-30G Minuteman III. The Minuteman, which has been in service since the 1970s, will eventually be replaced with the LGM-35A Sentinel, but for now the Minuteman remains capable and ready.
The United States has 400 Minuteman ICBMs standing by, located in the Rocky Mountain region and the Dakotas. The Minuteman, a three-stage solid-fuel missile, has a reported 8,000 mile range, meaning that an ICBM launched from the western United States could reach as far as North Korea.
Sea
The United States operates 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). The USS Ohio is the largest submarine the U.S. has ever built, and is capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles per boat. The Trident is a three-stage solid-fuel SLBM with an operational range of 7,500 miles.
The sea-based leg of the nuclear triad is arguably the most vital for America’s national defense. Air- and ground-based nuclear weapons could theoretically be devastated by a massive nuclear attack on the American mainland. However, the Ohio is invaluable for its ability to remain in constant motion, typically without detection—meaning that it could target just about anywhere on Earth, secretly, at any time.
The Columbia-class submarine will eventually replace the Ohio, but for now the Ohio rounds out the U.S. nuclear triad, perhaps the most feared nuclear deterrence structure in the world.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
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