It was first released in 2009, with numerous redactions. But then in August 2019, The Black Vault filed a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) to get it reviewed. The result, as received in June of 2022, was that many redactions were lifted, but clearly, not all.

Document Archive

Soviet Forces for Intercontinental Attack, 26 October 1972 [99 Pages, 27MB]

The post Soviet Forces for Intercontinental Attack, 26 October 1972 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Although I likely will never adequately explain how difficult this document was to track down, The Black Vault began the journey in August of 2014. The request was bounced around and transferred to numerous agencies, which included the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Department of State, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the U.S. Army, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy.

The journey lasted until until March 9, 2022, when finally the DTRA released the document, surprisingly, in full.

Out of more than 10,000 FOIA requests filed, this was likely in the top 5 most problematic and frustrating. It took more than 10 FOIA case numbers eventually filed throughout 8 different agencies and military branches.

Document Archive

TM4-1, Glossary of Nuclear Weapons Material and Related Terms [229 Pages, 1.1MB]

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The post TM4-1, Glossary of Nuclear Weapons Material and Related Terms first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following document was created in 1991 regarding the reduction of the nuclear weapons arsenal.

I requested an MDR as the last review was from a 2013 case, however, the actual review was done in 2016.  So, they would not conduct another Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR).  Ironically, the time requirement (2 years) was only weeks away, so when I got their response, it was already time for another review.

So, I requested another MDR on 4/20/18, and will post the results, when available.

For now, you can find the 2016 release below.

Document Archive

 Reducing the United States Nuclear Arsenal, September 28, 1991 [33 Pages, 3.8MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/dod/18-M-0748.pdf

The post Reducing the United States Nuclear Arsenal, September 28, 1991 first appeared on The Black Vault.

NNSA receives its authority for the responsibility for all weapon and weapon-related functions from 50 USC 2402, Chapter 41.

DOE/NNSA and DoD cooperate in the development, production, and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Figure 1.1-1 illustrates DOE/NNSA/DoD organizational interrelationships. The basic document that establishes the interrelationships between the two agencies is “An Agreement Between the AEC and the DoD for the Development, Production, and Standardization of Atomic Weapons,” dated March 21, 1953. This is commonly referred to as the “1953 Agreement.” It was updated on September 5, 1984, by the “Supplement to the 1953 Agreement for the Development, Production, and Standardization of Atomic Weapons Between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense.” The supplement delineates the functions of DOE/NNSA and DoD during joint feasibility studies for nuclear weapons (Phase 2), design definition and cost studies (Phase 2A), and development engineering (Phase 3). The 1953 Agreement was updated again in
1990 and supersedes the 1953 version.

Numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), and supplements provide additional guidance to agencies involved in the weapon development programs. Most of these are identified in a document titled “An Overview of DOE/DoD Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) Relating to Nuclear Weapons Development, Production, and Stockpile.”

In general, DOE/NNSA is responsible for designing, developing, producing, updating, and dismantling nuclear warheads, nuclear weapon trainers, and ancillary equipment, while DoD is responsible for designing, developing, and producing, and dismantling the weapon delivery system.

Declassified Manual

 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Development and Production Manual (D & P) [665 Pages, 9.7MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nnsa/17-00004-M.pdf

The post National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Development and Production Manual (D & P) first appeared on The Black Vault.