The United States has restarted production of nuclear weapons after it was halted in 1989 to fulfill an agreement with the then Soviet Union. The first production of a plutonium core (plutonium pit) in 35 years was successfully carried out earlier this month and it was the first step in producing warheads for a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) being developed.
With the Cold War back on with Russia, America is now in the process of replacing its aging LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM.
Each Sentinel will be equipped with a new W87-1 nuclear warhead whose plutonium core will be the essential component to detonate through nuclear fission. This first explosion will produce a second, more powerful nuclear explosion. The United States did not reveal what the explosive power of the W87-1 was, but it was certainly more powerful than the 335 kiloton W78 Minuteman III warhead.
The Sentinel was needed because of the Minuteman III that was developed in the 1970s. The launch system, underground chamber and fuel used by these ICBMs are outdated. Additionally the warhead used will not function as it should due to the natural decay of the plutonium core used.
All 400 Minuteman IIIs will be replaced by Sentinels by the 2030s. At this point America has the ability to produce 80 plutonium cores a year to meet the defense needs of the United States.