U.S. General Expects More Trident Missile Funding

The head of U.S. Strategic Command said last week that he expects Congress next year to consider providing additional money for a program to conventionally arm Trident D-5 missile, United Press International reported (see GSN, July 24).

Gen. James Cartwright said pending studies would show that the weapon’s use was unlikely to provoke nuclear retaliation.

U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern that a nation such as China or Russia might mistake a Trident carrying a conventional warhead for its nuclear-armed counterpart, and launch atomic missiles of their own in response.

The Senate fiscal 2007 defense appropriations bill includes only $5 million for study of land- or air-based alternatives to a submarine-launched conventional Trident. The Bush administration had sought $127 million for the project.

The House of Representatives provided only $30 million for the effort in the next fiscal year, UPI reported (United Press International/SpaceWar.com, Aug. 8).

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