NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise were well represented at this year’s Nuclear Deterrence Summit held earlier Aug. 3-5 in Alexandria, Va. NNSA speakers and panelists discussed the latest agency updates.
National Nuclear Security Administration
August 25, 2021
minute read time
NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise were well represented at this year’s Nuclear Deterrence Summit held earlier Aug. 3-5 in Alexandria, Va. NNSA speakers and panelists discussed the latest updates on the agency’s work in maintaining the nuclear stockpile, stopping proliferation, and building and maintaining the infrastructure of the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
“With support from current and past Administrations and Congresses, NNSA is undertaking a risk-informed, complicated, and time-constrained production modernization and recapitalization effort,” said Dr. Charles P. Verdon, NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, during his opening keynote address. In his speech and during the Q&A session, Dr. Verdon addressed NNSA’s modernization and infrastructure activities, updates on stockpile research, technology, and engineering, and workforce development.
NNSA representatives included:
- Heather Looney, Senior Advisor, Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
- James McConnell, Associate Administrator for Safety, Infrastructure and Operations
- Jay A. Tilden, Associate Administrator and Deputy Under Secretary for Counterterrorism & Counterproliferation
- Robert Raines, Associate Administrator for Acquisition and Project Management
- Michael A. Thompson, Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Sustainment, Defense Programs
- Brig. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, Defense Programs
Other leaders from across the NSE included lab and weapons directors from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.
Dr. Verdon also spoke about the importance of identifying emerging threats and challenges, and investing in the resources and capabilities that make the NSE the best in the world. The consensus was that maintaining a safe, secure, reliable, and effective strategic deterrent is critical to our national security missions and requires continued commitment.
Next year’s Nuclear Deterrence Summit is scheduled for Feb. 7-9 in Arlington, Va. and NNSA is expected to again be well represented.