Theater Nuclear Weapon Storage & Security System

The Theater Nuclear Weapon Storage & Security System (WS3) program is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the Air Force under Program Element (PE) 0305155F. Its primary objective is to modernize and secure the storage vaults used for theater nuclear weapons in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Nuclear Deterrence Mission in Europe. The WS3 system was originally designed in the 1980s and fielded in the 1990s. The current program seeks to address technological obsolescence and evolving security requirements.

A central component of this program is the Vault Modernization Program (VMP). The VMP aims to upgrade storage vault components, specifically focusing on the vault unlock management subsystem. This subsystem must be modernized to comply with National Security Agency (NSA) requirements, which mandate the adoption of modern cryptographic technologies to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access. The modernization effort also seeks to resolve sustainment issues caused by aging and obsolete hardware within the vaults.

In FY 2025, the VMP was authorized as a new start under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriation and Extensions Act, 2025. Delays in funding appropriation and distribution resulted in the majority of work shifting to FY 2026. During FY 2025, the program focused on establishing the architecture for the modernization effort, identifying obsolete components, and preparing initial contracting documents to enable the earliest possible contract award in FY 2026. This preparatory work was essential to scope the technical boundaries and requirements for the modernization.

For FY 2026, the program plans to use appropriated funds to award the initial design contract, which will further mature the detailed specifications and design of the impacted vault subsystems. This phase will include adjudication of NSA encryption requirements, ensuring that the upgraded vaults meet all mandated security standards. The design and engineering development tasks are intended to validate requirements prior to full-rate production, consistent with the program's placement in Budget Activity 5 (System Development and Demonstration).

The Nuclear Weapons Support project within this program element is responsible for executing the product development, support, and management services necessary for the VMP. In FY 2026, the majority of the budget is allocated to product development, with additional funding for support and management services. These activities encompass contract awards for design, testing, and evaluation of the modernized vault systems.

The justification for this program centers on the need to maintain secure and reliable storage for theater nuclear weapons, which are a critical component of NATO's deterrence posture. Upgrading the WS3 vaults is necessary to meet current and future security standards, address hardware obsolescence, and comply with NSA cryptographic requirements. The program's schedule includes contract production beginning in late 2025, design activities from early 2026 through 2030, and test and evaluation phases from late 2026 through early 2030.