USAF Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies (CUWS) Outreach Journal Issue No. 1116, 22 May 2014 Welcome to the CUWS Outreach Journal! As part of the CUWS’ mission to develop Air Force, DoD, and other USG leaders to advance the state of knowledge, policy, and practices within strategic defense issues involving nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, we offer the government and civilian community a source of contemporary discussions on unconventional weapons. These discussions include news articles, papers, and other information sources that address issues pertinent to the U.S. national security community. It is our hope that this information resources will help enhance the overall awareness of these important national security issues and lead to the further discussion of options for dealing with the potential use of unconventional weapons. The following news articles, papers, and other information sources do not necessarily reflect official endorsement of the Air University, U.S. Air Force, or Department of Defense. Reproduction for private use or commercial gain is subject to original copyright restrictions. All rights are reserved. FEATURE ITEMS: “Update on North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station: Rapid Construction of Possible New Launch Complex”. By 38 North; 20 May 2014. A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Nick Hansen and Jack Liu. http://38north.org/2014/05/sohae052014/ New commercial satellite imagery from May 10, 2014, indicates that North Korea is conducting a number of important construction projects at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station (“Tongchang-ri”). While it is too soon to make a definitive judgment on their purpose, one working hypothesis is that the North is building a new complex to conduct future training and launches for mobile missiles such as the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).[1] Moreover, that hypothesis is consistent with ongoing KN-08 engine tests being conducted Sohae’s rocket engine test stand, where a probable KN-08 first stage is currently seen on the stand, possibly left there after early April 2014 tests or for use in the future. “Chinese Nuclear Missile Upgrade near Dalian”. By Hans M. Kristensen; Federation of American Scientist (FAS)/ FAS Strategic Security Blog, May 21, 2014. http://blogs.fas.org/security/2014/05/dengshaheupgrade/ One of the last Chinese Second Artillery brigades with the old liquid-fuel DF-3A intermediate-range nuclear ballistic missile appears to have been upgraded to the newer DF-21 road-mobile, dual-capable, medium-range ballistic missile. A new satellite image posted on Google Earth from May 4, 2014, reveals major changes to what appears to be a launch unit site for the Dengshahe brigade northeast of Dalian by the Yellow Sea. The upgrade apparently marks the latest phase in a long and slow conversion of the Dengshahe brigade from the DF-3A to the DF-21. Outreach Journal Feedback or sign-up request: [email protected] Return to Top U.S. NUCLEAR WEAPONS 1. Overhauling the Nation’s Nuclear Arsenal: Sandia National Labs Achieves B61 Milestone 2. AP Exclusive: Air Force Security Failed Test Response to Simulated Capture of Nuclear Weapon U.S. COUNTER-WMD 1. US Tests Cornerstone of European Antimissile Shield HOMELAND SECURITY/THE AMERICAS 1. How Contagious Pathogens Could Lead to Nuke-Level Casualties Issue No.1116, 22 May 2014 United States Air Force Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies| Maxwell AFB, Alabama http://cpc.au.af.mil \ https://twitter.com/USAF_CUWS Phone: 334.953.7538 | Fax: 334.953.7226 USAF Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies CUWS Outreach Journal Maxwell AFB, Alabama ASIA/PACIFIC 1. U.S. Wants Tokyo, Seoul to Aid Missile Defense against N. Korea 2. Defense Chiefs of S.Korea, U.S., Japan to Meet for Talks on DPRK 3. China "Uses Channels" to Warn North Korea against Fourth Nuclear Test: Sources 4. North Korea may be Close to Developing Nuclear Missile, Some Say 5. N. Korean Envoy, U.S. Experts to Hold Informal Meeting in Mongolia EUROPE/RUSSIA 1. Gunmen Attempt to Enter Ukraine’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant 2. Russian Airborne Forces, Strategic Missile Troops to Become All Contract-Based By 2020 3. NATO Does Not Plan to Put Nuclear Arms, New Troops in Eastern Europe 4. Inside the Ring: Russia Tests New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Warhead 5. Russian’s Air Force to Receive New Generation Long-Range Bomber in 2023 6. Scottish Independence: Scrapping Trident 'Could Shift Power from West to East' MIDDLE EAST 1. Iran Nuclear Talks Make ‘No Tangible Progress’ 2. Iran’s Zarif Says Nuclear Deal is ‘Possible’ 3. Iran Voices Tougher Line on Arak Reactor 4. Israeli Defense Official: Iran Can Break Out to Nuclear Weapons 'Very Quickly' 5. Iran Not to Allow US to Cross Redlines 6. Deputy FM: Iran's Defense Systems Never Included in Nuclear Talks 7. Syria Begins to Move 'Remaining' Chemical Arms 8. IAEA Says Iran Agrees to Address Issues in Nuclear Bomb Probe 9. Rouhani: Nuclear Deal ‘Very Likely’ by July Deadline INDIA/PAKISTAN 1. Pakistan Urged to Develop Second Strike N-Capability Strategy COMMENTARY 1. Nothing Tactical about Nuclear Weapons 2. US Conventional Power and Nuclear Asia 3. Prompt Global Strike Plan 4. Rethinking Nuclear Security Efforts 5. KAHLILI: Iran’s Nuclear Deception Albuquerque Journal - Albuquerque, NM Overhauling the Nation’s Nuclear Arsenal: Sandia National Labs Achieves B61 Milestone By Kevin Robinson-Avila, Journal Staff Writer Sunday, May 18, 2014 After three years of intense work, Sandia National Laboratories has reached a key milestone in its efforts to modernize the B61 nuclear bomb – one of the oldest and most versatile weapons in the nation’s nuclear arsenal. The bomb modernization program, which aims to extend the B61′s life another 20 years, is one of the biggest endeavors undertaken at Sandia since before the Cold War ended. The government is spending upwards of $8 billion on the project, part of a broad national effort to modernize most of the nation’s nuclear military complex during the next decade. Issue No.1116, 22 May 2014 United States Air Force Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies | Maxwell AFB, Alabama http://cpc.au.af.mil \ https://twitter.com/USAF_CUWS Phone: 334.953.7538 | Fax: 334.953.7226 2 USAF Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies CUWS Outreach Journal Maxwell AFB, Alabama Sandia is working together with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force on upgrading the bomb, with the first newly refurbished B61s projected to roll off the assembly line by March 2020. Lab leaders say the project is on schedule and, at least for now, under budget. Sandia conducted a weeklong wind tunnel test in February to measure the B61′s aerodynamic performance at the speed of sound. That provided the first opportunity to collect comprehensive data on how a newly built tail kit assembly interacts with other components on the bomb, said James Handrock, director of Sandia’s nuclear weapons systems engineering. That, in turn, will help push the project closer to a planned, real-flight test next year at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. The new tail kit assembly is important because it adds a guidance system to the bomb, basically converting it from a gravity-dependent dumb bomb into a smart one that can be aimed more precisely at a target. “We developed the preliminary design … and the wind tunnel test allowed us to try that out to see what adjustments may still be needed,” Handrock told the Journal. “It all has to work smoothly together. We need to make sure the baseline design is what we will use in the upcoming flight tests.” The test provided the performance measurements needed to guide the next stages of design work, he said. Critics question the cost of the overall modernization plan, which has skyrocketed from an estimated $4 billion in 2010 to at least $8 billion today. They also fear the new tail kit guidance system, along with other modifications, add new capabilities to the weapon, potentially undermining the government’s declared policy of simply extending the life of nuclear arms without creating new ones. Three warheads Sandia is working on upgrades to three nuclear warheads: modernization of the B61, modifications to aging components in the W88 missile designed for submarine launch and the ground-launched Mk21 intercontinental cruise missile. About 1,000 Sandia employees are working on the projects, which together have an estimated annual budget of more than $1.2 billion through the end of this decade, according to Sandia President and Director Paul Hommert. But the B61 is, by far, the biggest since it involves a complete overhaul of nearly all weapon components. About 600 employees are working on it, and Congress approved $537 million this year for combined work on the project at Sandia and LANL. “We’re modernizing all components of it, including all the electronics and safety mechanisms and different delivery systems,” Hommert told the Albuquerque Economic Forum in April. “It’s the largest effort of this type in over 30 years.” The project will consolidate four different B61 models developed during the Cold War into a single weapon called the B61-12. Apart from requalifying and remanufacturing existing components, the project calls for redesign of many parts, such as safety features, plus the addition of new things like the tail kit assembly. All current B61 models are gravity bombs dropped over targets. They don’t have flight-guidance systems that could pinpoint them for greater accuracy once released. In addition, the bomb could be programmed to carry a lower yield to destroy specific targets, thus reducing radioactive fallout and lowering potential for collateral damage. Tail kit The Boeing Co. is building the guided tail kit under contract with the Air Force, and Sandia is working on the overall bomb redesign to integrate it into the weapon.