Do you know who makes Nuclear Weapons? The first report included information on twenty companies, which increased to twenty-seven in 2012, twenty-eight in 2013, and so on. Then in 2014, twenty-nine companies were included. Then in 2015, twenty-six companies were listed in the report, and so on. There are also trend data on the number of companies making nuclear weapons. If you are curious, read on to discover more.
Listed below are companies involved in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons. These are not comprehensive lists; there are many others involved in the industry, including small parts manufacturers. The total industry is far larger, but these companies make up the most significant part of it. The list includes companies based in the United States, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and India. Walchandnagar Industries was also included, due to current contracts for components related to India’s nuclear arsenal.
In the United States, nuclear weapons were first produced during World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the development of nuclear weapons in 1939, motivated by the threat of Nazi Germany. The program was originally directed by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), but in 1942 the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) took over. This office later became the United States Army. The program is known as the Manhattan Project, and it was a joint effort of the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.
The cost of nuclear weapons development has outpaced federal spending on education, natural resources, the environment, general science, technology, and law enforcement. In fact, in one year, the U.S. spent more than ninety-six billion dollars on nuclear weapons. The total cost of nuclear weapons in the United States exceeded the cost of education, general science, and space. In other words, the United States spent nearly a trillion dollars on nuclear weapons in 2015.
Companies involved in nuclear weapons production include Aecom, Flour, Jacobs Engineering, and SAIC. Several other firms in the industry include Alliant Techsystems and Rockwell Collins. In addition to nuclear weapons, these companies are also involved in missile targeting and guidance. The United States has several major nuclear weapons facilities, and the contractors are often multinational. However, the U.S. does not produce all of the nuclear weapons used in the world.
The Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, UK is now being run by a private enterprise. The company is not being sold to the highest bidder, and it has not gone public. Instead, the management of the facility is contracting out. The consortium comprises three companies: Hunting plc, AEA Technology, and Brown and Root. The new company took over from the Ministry of Defence on April 1, 2003.
The process of creating sufficient HEU is the hardest part of building a nuclear weapon. The process is expensive and complex, so it is unlikely that terrorist organizations will attempt to build them. Consequently, if a country is in possession of HEU, it is imperative to secure existing stockpiles and prevent them from being stolen. But before that, the question remains: Who makes Nuclear Weapons? And what is the cost?
The decision to build nuclear weapons varies from country to country. Different adversaries will have different requirements, and so will the military. The military role and the goals will vary. Each country will need its own unique arsenal of nuclear weapons. Its role in society will depend on its own strategic goals and values. A nuclear weapon can be very effective for a nation to defend its borders. It is also an essential component in a strong military.
In the US, the corporations involved in nuclear programs spend millions on lobbying and campaign contributions. Many of them have ongoing nuclear weapons contracts. According to a Center for International Policy study, the top 14 nuclear weapons contractors have given $3 million to legislators – half of which went to key committees governing nuclear arms. The weapons industry is well-aware that its weapons program is a critical national security issue. And that’s just one example.
In addition to strategic and nonstrategic weapons, there are tactical and atomic bombs. While strategic nuclear weapons have the highest destructive power, the nonstrategic ones are still deadly. The “Fat Man” bomb killed approximately 40,000 people in seconds. While this might seem like a small number, it is enough to make any nation afraid of nuclear war. If you want to protect the planet and its people, don’t let the nuclear weapons manufacturers decide who makes them.