1st "diamond-stamped" pit approved since 2011, a 13 year gap. Some of that wait was Los Alamos lab, where it was made, pausing production in 2011. More delay was caused by extremely unsafe choices by lab employees. Some was delays caused by ongoing safety & training challenges. Many, many delays.

DSdkspaulding.bsky.socialOct 3, 2024 6:51pm

NNSA announced production of the first warhead-ready plutonium pit. A milestone? Yes, it's the first important step in a long process, but meeting the dangerous and unnecessary goal of 80 pits/year by 2030 is still unattainable - this doesn't change that.

NNSA completes and diamond-stamps first plutonium pit for W87-1 warhead

NNSA verified completion of the First Production Unit (FPU) of a plutonium pit for the W87-1 Modification Program. A plutonium pit is a necessary component in America’s nuclear warheads.