🇺🇸 Nuclear Arsenal of the United States

In 2026, the United States has a total of 5042 nuclear warheads, including 1770 deployed. They made 1030 tests between 1945 and 1992.

The United States maintains the world's most sophisticated nuclear triad, but is navigating an unprecedented simultaneous recapitalization of every delivery system and warhead type — a generational effort now estimated at $946 billion over 2025–2034 — while confronting the first post-arms-control era since the early 1970s. New START expired on February 5, 2026 with no successor in sight, and for the first time the U.S. faces two nuclear-armed peer competitors (Russia and China) simultaneously.

The active military stockpile holds approximately 3,700 warheads: ~1,670 deployed on strategic launchers, ~100 tactical B61-12 bombs forward-deployed in Europe, and ~1,930 in reserve. An additional ~1,342 retired warheads await dismantlement, bringing the total inventory to ~5,042.

Readiness remains high: 400 single-warhead Minuteman III ICBMs sit on 24/7 alert in 450 silos; 14 Ohio-class SSBNs provide continuous at-sea deterrence with typically 4–5 boats on patrol; and B-52H and B-2A bombers can be generated within hours.

Force structure and major vectors

Land — Intercontinental ballistic missiles

• 400 LGM-30G Minuteman III across F.E. Warren, Malmstrom and Minot AFBs, each carrying a single W78 or W87-0 warhead. A September 2025 GAO report concluded Minuteman III can feasibly operate through 2050. In March 2026, the Air Force test-launched a Minuteman III with two reentry vehicles for the first time in years — demonstrating MIRV readiness now that New START limits no longer apply.
• LGM-35A Sentinel (GBSD replacement): following a January 2024 Nunn-McCurdy breach (81% cost growth to $141 billion), the program was restructured. New Milestone B is targeted for late 2026, first flight test in March 2028, and IOC in the early 2030s — years behind the original 2029 target. Sentinel's design preserves a MIRV option for 2–3 warheads per missile.
• Warheads: W87-1 enters production ~FY2030–32 to arm Sentinel. The first war reserve plutonium pit was produced at Los Alamos in October 2024, but pit production remains far behind the 30/year target.

Sea — Ballistic-missile submarines

• 14 Ohio-class SSBNs, each with 20 Trident II D5LE missiles carrying W76-1, W76-2 (low-yield, ~8 kt) and W88 Alt 370 warheads. The W88 Alt 370 upgrade was completed in November 2025 (last production unit). Ohio retirements begin in 2026 at ~1 per year; up to 5 boats may receive 3-year life extensions to hedge against Columbia delays.
• Columbia-class (SSBN-826): 12 boats planned. Lead ship USS District of Columbia is ~65% complete at Electric Boat, Groton. Delivery is expected late 2028 / early 2029 (12 months behind original schedule), with first deterrent patrol in FY2030. Second boat USS Wisconsin is under construction; third boat USS Groton entered procurement in FY2026. Total program cost: ~$132 billion acquisition / $267 billion lifecycle.
• W93/Mk 7 warhead: next-generation SLBM warhead to replace W76-1 and W88 on Trident II, entering Phase 2A design definition. FPU targeted for 2034–2036. FY2026 budget: $807 million. The UK plans to use a W93-derived warhead for its Dreadnought-class submarines.

Air — Strategic bombers and nuclear cruise missiles

• B-52H Stratofortress (46 nuclear-certified) will carry the AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO) armed with the W80-4 warhead. LRSO flight testing is underway (B-52 spotted carrying two test rounds in November 2025); first production unit due September 2027; 1,087 missiles planned. W80-4 warhead canned subassembly delivered 18 months ahead of schedule.
• B-2A Spirit (20 nuclear-certified) now carries the precision-guided B61-12. B61-12 production was completed in December 2024 (~230 bombs, ~$10 billion program).
• B61-13: a higher-yield variant (~360 kt, replacing B83 capability) with first unit assembled in May 2025, almost a year ahead of schedule. Strategic bombers only; each B61-13 reduces the B61-12 count by one (no net increase).
• B-21 Raider stealth bomber: two aircraft in flight test (second maiden flight September 2025); production accelerated by 25% in February 2026. First delivery to Ellsworth AFB expected 2027; at least 100 planned. Nuclear certification ~2 years after IOC.

New systems

• SLCM-N (Sea-Launched Cruise Missile – Nuclear): a new nuclear-armed cruise missile for Virginia-class attack submarines, partly driven by the two-peer challenge. Five contractors selected in August 2025 (Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Florida Turbine Technologies). IOC targeted for FY2034, with Congress mandating limited deployment by September 2032. Funded with $2 billion from FY2025 reconciliation.
• Golden Dome missile defense: executive order signed January 2025; design selected May 2025 at $175 billion. Includes a space-based interceptor layer — the first U.S. weapons in orbit.

Nuclear weapons in Europe

An estimated 125–130 B61-12 tactical bombs are forward-deployed at six NATO bases in five countries: Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Büchel (Germany), Aviano and Ghedi (Italy), Volkel (Netherlands), and Incirlik (Turkey). All older B61 variants have been replaced with B61-12. In June 2025, the UK announced it will purchase 12 F-35As and join NATO's dual-capable aircraft nuclear sharing mission — B61-12 bombs were reportedly delivered to RAF Lakenheath in July 2025, though infrastructure upgrades may not be complete until 2029.

Nuclear testing debate

In October 2025, Trump called for resuming nuclear tests "on an equal basis" with other countries. The U.S. cast the only "no" vote at the UN First Committee on the CTBT resolution. NNSA has stated explosive tests are not necessary to maintain the stockpile. The Nevada National Security Site would require at least 36 months to resume underground testing. No formal policy change has been announced.

Outlook

The U.S. enters its most challenging nuclear era since the Cold War: New START has expired with no replacement, China is projected to reach 1,000+ warheads by 2030, and every major delivery system is in transition simultaneously. The "trough" between legacy and next-generation systems creates acute schedule pressure — Sentinel is years late, Columbia is 12 months behind, and plutonium pit production at Los Alamos achieved only 1 war reserve pit in two years versus the 30/year target. The Trump administration has signaled intent to expand the deployed arsenal and preserve MIRV options, while NNSA weapons activities funding surges to $24.9 billion in FY2026 (+29%). The Doomsday Clock stands at 85 seconds to midnight — the closest ever.

Sources

• Wikipedia
• Federation of American Scientists
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists