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Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program

Description: Most current U.S. nuclear warheads were built in the 1980s, and are being retained longer than was planned. Yet warheads deteriorate with age and must be maintained. The current approach monitors them for signs of aging. When problems are found, a Life Extension Program (LEP) rebuilds components. While some can be made to new specifications, a nuclear test moratorium bars that approach for critical components that would require a nuclear test. Instead, LEP rebuilds them as closely as possible t… more
Date: June 3, 2005
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Ship Acquisition: Options for Lower-Cost Ship Designs - Issues for Congress

Description: Rising procurement costs for Navy ships have recently emerged as a matter of concern for both Navy officials and some Members of Congress who track Navyrelated issues. Combined with constraints on ship-procurement funding, these rising costs have caused the Navy to reduce planned ship procurement rates.
Date: June 1, 2005
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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European Union’s Arms Embargo on China: Implications and Options for U.S. Policy

Description: Overall, there are two sets of questions for Congress in examining U.S. policy toward the fate of the EU’s arms embargo on China. What are the implications for U.S. interests in trans-Atlantic relations and China? If U.S. interests are adversely affected, what are some options for Congress to discourage the EU from lifting its arms embargo on China and, if it is lifted, to protect U.S. national security interests in both Asia and Europe? Issues raised by these questions are the subject of this … more
Date: May 27, 2005
Creator: Archick, Kristin; Grimmett, Richard F. & Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Aircraft Carriers: Proposed Retirement of USS John F. Kennedy - Issues and Options for Congress

Description: The Navy’s FY2006 budget proposes retiring the conventionally powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in FY2006 and reducing the size of the carrier force from 12 ships to 11. The Kennedy is homeported in Mayport, FL. The proposal would not retire any other ships or any carrier air wings. Prior to this proposal, the Navy’s plan was to maintain a 12-carrier force and keep the Kennedy in operation until 2018. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the proposal to… more
Date: May 25, 2005
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Ship Procurement: Alternative Funding Approaches - Background and Options for Congress

Description: Some observers have proposed procuring Navy ships using incremental funding or advance appropriations rather than the traditional full funding approach that has been used to procure most Navy ships. Supporters believe these alternative funding approaches could increase stability in Navy shipbuilding plans and perhaps increase the number of Navy ships that could be built for a given total amount of ship procurement funding. The issue for the 109th Congress is whether to maintain or change curren… more
Date: May 25, 2005
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program

Description: Most current U.S. nuclear warheads were built in the 1980s, and are being retained longer than was planned. Yet warheads deteriorate with age and must be maintained. The current approach monitors them for signs of aging. When problems are found, a Life Extension Program (LEP) rebuilds components. While some can be made to new specifications, a nuclear test moratorium bars that approach for critical components that would require a nuclear test. Instead, LEP rebuilds them as closely as possible t… more
Date: May 24, 2005
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Deepwater program is a $24-billion, 25-year acquisition program to replace or modernize 93 Coast Guard ships and 207 Coast Guard aircraft. The Coast Guard’s FY2006 budget requests $966 million for the program. Some Members of Congress have strongly criticized the Deepwater program on several grounds. The House version of H.R. 2360, the FY2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, reduces the FY2006 Deepwater funding request to $500 million; the Senate version reduces it… more
Date: May 19, 2005
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Combat Aircraft Sales to South Asia: Potential Implications

Description: In March 2005, the Bush Administration announced a willingness to resume sales of F-16 combat aircraft to Pakistan. Potential sales to India are also being considered. These potential sales have political, military, and defense industrial base implications for the United States and the South Asia region. H.R. 1553 and S. 12 would impose nonproliferation conditions on these sales.
Date: May 19, 2005
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher; Grimmett, Richard F. & Kronstadt, K. Alan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran's Nuclear Program: Recent Developments

Description: Since 2003, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of Iran’s nuclear program have revealed significant undeclared activities with potential applications for nuclear weapons, including uranium enrichment facilities and plutonium separation efforts. Also since 2003, Iran has been negotiating with Germany, France, and the UK (EU-3) for a wide range of assistance in exchange for a halt to such activities. Yet, most evidence indicates that Iran has never completely suspended its e… more
Date: May 18, 2005
Creator: Squassoni, Sharon
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Republic of the Marshall Islands Changed Circumstances Petition to Congress

Description: This report summarizes U.S. nuclear testing on the Marshall Islands, U.S. compensation efforts to date, relevant provisions in the Compact of Free Association, and the Changed Circumstances Petition. It analyzes several issues related to the personal injury, health care, and property damages claims in the Petition.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Lum, Thomas; Thomas, Kenneth R.; Redhead, C. Stephen; Bearden, David M.; Holt, Mark & Lazzari, Salvatore
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Deepwater program is a $24 billion, 25-year acquisition program to replace or modernize 93 Coast Guard ships and 207 Coast Guard aircraft. The Coast Guard's FY2007 budget requests $934.431 million for the program. Some Members of Congress have criticized and expressed strong concerns over the Deepwater program on several grounds. The House-reported version of H.R. 5441, the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, recommends $892.64 million for the Deepwater program. more
Date: May 12, 2005
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Air Force Aerial Refueling Methods: Flying Boom versus Hose-and-Drogue

Description: Decisions on the composition of the Air Force aerial refueling fleet were made decades ago, when the primary mission was to refuel long-range strategic bombers. Modifications have been made to many of these tanker aircraft (KC-135s and KC-10s) to make them more effective in refueling fighter aircraft. This report, which will be updated, examines the balance between two different refueling methods in today’s refueling fleet — “flying boom” and “hose-and-drogue.”
Date: May 11, 2005
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher & Klaus, Jon D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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