DoD and DOE Nuclear Weapons Acquisition Process

Problem Statement: The DoD and the DOE through the NNSA, work very closely when designing, developing, producing, updating and dismantling nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. The process of fielding a nuclear weapon system is a very long and arduous process and requires a great deal of cooperation and collaboration on the part of the two organizations. This paper will examine how the Departments of Defense and Energy work together to develop nuclear weapon systems and provide recommendations on how the processes may be changed to work better together. Methodology followed in conducting the research: The first step in the research was to study relevant documents and attend and take on-line courses that cover the nuclear weapon acquisition processes for the DoD and DOE. After better understanding the acquisition process, Several interviews were conducted with individuals involved in the process of acquiring nuclear weapons systems, both within the DoD and the DOE. During these interviews individuals were asked if they believed there are better ways to accomplish the mission of fielding and sustaining nuclear weapons; these answers were considered for recommendations on how to make the nuclear weapon acquisition processes work better.