In March 2023, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs approved the W80-4 Life Extension Program (LEP) to transition into Phase 6.4, Production Engineering. The W80-4 LEP achieved Phase 6.4 entry following successful execution of the Preliminary Design Review and Acceptance Group Review and the System Baseline Design Review, and passing through the System Pre-Production Engineering Gate.
NNSA has shown that the warhead baseline design complies with Department of Defense requirements and demonstrates survival and performance in expected environments. The First Production Unit of the W80-4 is scheduled for September 2027, supporting the U.S. Air Force’s scheduled Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) cruise missile initial and final operational capability dates.
Read the full press release on the NNSA website.