I am deeply appreciative of the attention given to this issue by Senator Nelson, Congressman Wexler and others.

We have a pretty sizable dismantlement queue.

General Carpenter, the B-2 budget request for fiscal year 2010 includes $16.8 million to integrate the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) on the B-2.

Have you looked at the cost and the impact of having the nuclear weapons complex regulated by the NRC in lieu of the self-regulation that is in place today?

Mr. D'Agostino, with the possibility of a smaller stockpile there is the possibility that there will be fewer types of nuclear weapons in the future.

For years the Air Force has been searching for replacement helicopters for use in the ICBM fields.

Do you see any use in joint Air Force-Navy inspections? Would joint inspections address, among things, the shortage of skilled inspectors?

Mr. D'Agostino, would the overall stockpile be easier to maintain if there were fewer types of nuclear weapons, and if so, why?

maintaining critical skills throughout the NNSA complex is necessary to maintain a smaller stockpile in absence of nuclear weapons testing.

Admiral Johnson, the Navy is moving towards more fixed-price type contracts to purchase the D-5 ballistic missile.

Mr. D'Agostino, how much would the full upgrade cost and how long would it take to complete?

Thank you all very much. The record will be kept open for 3 days.

there may be opportunities to fundamentally improve the safety, security, and reliability of the weapons.

Okay.

You're going out to outside financing for a number of the buildings that you need. Why wouldn't you ask for a government line item?

How can you start the design of the new submarine if you don't know the outcome of the NPR?

the United States has maintained nuclear weapons for 17 years without explosive nuclear weapons testing. As one lab director recently said, 'we know how to do this.'

General Carpenter, what is the capability and purpose of the MOP and why is it being integrated on the B-2?