Congress Mandates Restart of Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Program Amid Ongoing Debates
Congress has mandated the restart of the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) program, which had been under debate since its proposal in 2018. Despite the Biden Administration's efforts to cancel it, the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act allocates $2 billion for the program, requiring the Department of Defense to prepare for initial operational capability by September 30, 2034. Supporters advocate for the missile's role in deterrence, while critics question its costs and operational implications.
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Congress has mandated the restart of the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) program, which has been under debate since its proposal by the Trump Administration in 2018. The Biden Administration initially sought to cancel the program, citing the sufficiency of the W76-2 SLBM for deterrence, but Congress provided funding through the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to initiate a major acquisition program for the SLCM-N and adapt the W80-4 warhead for it, aiming for initial operational capability by September 30, 2034. Despite Biden's budget requests excluding SLCM-N funding, Congress allocated $2 billion to accelerate work on the missile and its warhead in FY2025. Proponents argue SLCM-N is necessary for deterrence and assurance to allies, while critics raise concerns about cost and operational tradeoffs.
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