Congressional Research Service Reports - 437 Matching Results

Search Results

Results: 1 - 24 next
open access

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments

Description: This report discusses the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosion and was in 1996 adopted by the U.N. General Assembly but rejected by the U.S. Senate in 1997. This report discusses the Obama Administration's stated goal of pursuing U.S. ratification of the CTBT, although the Administration has mainly focused on securing Senate consent to ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). This report also discusses other nuclear weapons-r… more
Date: January 6, 2010
Creator: Medalia, Jonathan
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process

Description: This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the re-transfer to third party nations of such military items.
Date: January 8, 2010
Creator: Grimmett, Richard F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Technical Issues

Description: This report summarizes what is known from open sources about the North Korean nuclear weapons program -- including weapons-usable fissile material and warhead estimates -- and assesses current developments in achieving denuclearization.
Date: January 8, 2010
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Description: This report looks at the background and current status of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was formed to increase international cooperation in interdicting shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Date: January 8, 2010
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the United States' and Russia's objectives when they began discussions on the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty and a summary of how they resolved these differences when concluding the negotiations. It then describes the key provisions in the Treaty, offers a brief assessment of how each nation fared in achieving its objectives when negotiating this agreement, and a summary of reaction from U.S. and Russian commentators.
Date: January 12, 2010
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons

Description: This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have take… more
Date: January 14, 2010
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues

Description: This report reviews the ongoing programs that will affect the expected size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force structure. It begins with an overview of this force structure during the Cold War, and summarizes the reductions and changes that have occurred since 1991. It then offers details about each category of delivery vehicle, focusing on their current deployments and ongoing and planned modernization programs. The report concludes with a discussion of issues related to decisions a… more
Date: January 20, 2010
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the CVN-78 program, which includes the CVN-78, CVN-79, and CVN-80 as the first three ships in the Navy's new Gerald R. Ford (CVN- 78) class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs).
Date: February 16, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Navy's plans regarding the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The LCS is a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages. The Navy wants to field a force of 55 LCSs.
Date: February 18, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cluster Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the background of cluster munitions in the U.S. military, and the current Department of Defense (DOD) and Obama Administration stances on the topic. It also discusses the two major international initiatives to address cluster munitions: the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and negotiations under the U.N. Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Date: February 23, 2010
Creator: Feickert, Andrew & Kerr, Paul K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background for Congress

Description: The Navy's FY2011 budget proposes canceling the CG(X) program as unaffordable and instead building an improved version of the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyer called the Flight III version. This report provides background information on the CG(X) program as it existed prior to its proposed cancellation.
Date: February 26, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a rate of one per year for the past several years, and a total of 12 boats have been procured through FY2010. The Navy's proposed FY2011 budget increases the procurement rate to two boats per year. This report discusses the Navy's proposed FY2011 budget, which requests $3,441.5 million in procurement funding to complete the procurement cost of the 13th and 14th Virginia-class boats.
Date: February 26, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy SSBN(X) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Navy's plan to develop and design a class of 12 next-generation ballistic missile submarines, or SSBN(X)s, as replacements for the 14 Ohio class SSBNs currently in operation. The report explores certain related issues for Congress, including the affordability of the project and its potential impact on other Navy shipbuilding programs, alternatives to the program, and which shipyard or shipyards will build the proposed ships.
Date: March 19, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report discusses the possibility of increasing the number of Navy surface ships powered by nuclear energy, including the Navy's planned CG(X) cruiser. The report explores a 2006 Navy study that discusses budget considerations, the cost of a nuclear-powered ship compared to a ship powered by crude oil, and other suggestions relating to this proposed expansion. The overall report has a specific emphasis on the planned CG(X) cruiser, and how the implementation of this cruiser may be delayed b… more
Date: March 29, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy has begun a multi-billion dollar program to modernize its 84 existing Aegis cruisers and destroyers over a period of more than 20 years. This report explores this program in detail, including the reasons for the program and the oversight issues it poses for Congress.
Date: March 31, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (CVN) Homeporting at Mayport: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's proposal to homeport a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at Mayport, Florida. Transferring a CVN from Norfolk, Virginia, to Mayport would also shift the local economic activity associated with homeporting a CVN, which some sources estimate as being worth hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
Date: April 1, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), also called the Lighting II, which is a new strike fighter being procured in different versions by the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. It details the Obama Administration's proposed FY2010 defense budget requests for F-35 program funding and outlines the issues that Congress must consider when deciding whether to approve, reject, or modify the administration's funding requests.
Date: April 2, 2010
Creator: Gertler, Jeremiah
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program. Under current Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is schedule to grow from 20 at the end of FY2010 to 38 at the end of FY2015. This report discusses the concerns some have over BMD expansion, as well as BMD funding issues.
Date: April 8, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background for Congress

Description: The Navy's FY2011 budget proposes canceling the CG(X) program as unaffordable and instead building an improved version of the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyer called the Flight III version. This report provides background information on the CG(X) program as it existed prior to its proposed cancellation.
Date: April 8, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages. The Navy's proposed FY2012 budget requests funding for the procurement of four LCSs.
Date: April 8, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a rate of one per year for the past several years, and a total of 12 boats have been procured through FY2010. The Navy's proposed FY2011 budget increases the procurement rate to two boats per year. This report discusses the Navy's proposed FY2011 budget, which requests $3,441.5 million in procurement funding to complete the procurement cost of the 13th and 14th Virginia-class boats.
Date: April 8, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the CVN-78 program, which includes the CVN-78, CVN-79, and CVN-80 as the first three ships in the Navy's new Gerald R. Ford (CVN- 78) class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs).
Date: April 13, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress

Description: This report discusses the process of naming Navy ships, which have traditionally been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy. Congress in recent years has proposed, and sometimes passed, legislation regarding the naming of specific ships.
Date: April 13, 2010
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen